| dc.description.abstract | The horticulture industry particularly the export subsector has been singled out as one that
contributes substantially to the impressive growth for enterprises in the agriculture sector.
The horticulture industries involve men and women at different levels and in different
ways in both urban and rural areas. These enterprises employ 70% women who are either
unskilled or semi-skilled and are employed on a casual basis or on short seasonal
contracts (FPEAK, 2011). Despite these efforts, gender inequalities persist and women
remain invisible as significant actors in driving economic growth particularly at the macro
level where growth indicators are designed.
This study sought to investigate the role of gender on the growth of horticulture industry
which is the fastest growing and third in contributing to the national GDP. Thus, the study
sought to establish the role of gender on the growth of the export horticulture industry in
Kenya with special focus on Yataa constituency, Machakos County. The study adopted a
descriptive research design as it entailed description and analysis of the culture and
behaviour of humans and their groups from the point of view of those being studied.
There study randomly selected a sample of 59 women from the study population for the
questionnaire. In addition, the study interviewed Key informants who were the leaders
and staff from the ministry of Agriculture in the region. Qualitative data collected from
open ended questions and from the key informants were analyzed through thematic
analysis while Quantitative data collected from closed ended questions was analyzed by
the use Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 21) and the data presented
by use of descriptive statistics such as percentages, means, standard deviations and
frequencies.
The study revealed that female entrepreneurs perceive success as the ability to control
their own destinies, while males viewed success in terms of achieving goals and financial
profitability. The research revealed that informal networks and associations play multiple
roles in providing services and act as avenues for mobilizing social finance which
influence growth of enterprise. The study concludes that the horticultural industry has a
very high potential in ensuring growth and empowering women entrepreneurs. The study
recommends that the sector should be developed and well equipped to meet the demands
of modern times. Through innovations and investment in technology, the horticultural ........... | en_US |
