The influence of gender based stereotypes on farm credit: the case study of Melani village – Nkonkobe municipality.

Abstract

Historically, rural women of South Africa have significantly contributed to sustainable agriculture of the country as well as that of their communities. However, it has been discovered that there are factors that impede the participation of women in agricultural development. This study sought to investigate the influence of gender-based stereotypes on farm credit access at Melani village in the Nkonkobe Municipality. Contemporary studies inspired by African feminist perspective revealed persistence of different gender stereotypes despite endevours to eradicate them from societies. This study predominantly concentrated on female inhabitants in South Africa of a village who are either active in agriculture or have retired in practicing crop production. The study discovered access to credit among other socio-cultural factors stifle agricultural development for women in agriculture. The study found that the main cause of lack of access to credit for women in agriculture was influenced by gender stereotype.