Enset: a “Wonder Plant” or an additional burden for women? An informal sector lens on the burdens and benefits of women and men in Sidama Region, Ethiopia

Biruktait Teferi Hailu, Thies Reemer

    Research output: Book/ReportReportProfessional

    Abstract

    Ensete Ventricosum, in short Enset, is commonly known as the ‘false banana’ or Ethiopian banana. Often, it is referred to as a ‘wonder plant’ because of its unique properties. It can be harvested any time, kept for years and serve to bridge periods of food shortage. Enset is generally associated with women’s empowerment as it is considered ‘a women’s crop’. Indeed, women do most of the production and processing work. Enset is processed into many different products for different markets and seems ideal for women to be more integrated into the monetary economy. A closer look shows that, while the production of Enset has been researched, very little is known about the marketing and trading system since it predominantly takes place in the informal sector. It turns out that the trade in Enset products – where the highest margins are made – is in the hands of male collectors and brokers. Is Enset rightly associated with women’s empowerment, or is it just an additional burden and responsibility for women?
    Original languageEnglish
    Place of PublicationWageningen
    PublisherWageningen Centre for Development Innovation
    Number of pages7
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Nov 2024

    Publication series

    NameReport / Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation
    No.WCDI-24-408

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