Market Networks of Women for Indigenous Vegetables in The Village of Hambaro, Nanggung Subdistrict, West Java

Abstract

This study was aimed to understand how gendered networks and coalitions affect the ability of groups to access and control natural resources and to access appropriate markets and capture value for their agricultural products. The study was conducted in the village of Bambaro, Nanggung subdistrict, Bogor West Java,from July to November 2008. A qualitative methodology was applied including focus group discussion, mapping and in depth interview. The study showed that men produce and sell main agricultural products such as rice, corn or cassava, while women may produce and sen minor vegetables. Most agricultural products are used for consumption and the surplus are sold around the village or to the middlemen. Commercial production by women farmers started with jasmine flower and later with guava. In the village of Bambaro, the access to market is open to everyone, but dominated by men .. Only a small number of women in Bambaro use the access to market their products. AU nodes in the marketing network of vegetables and fruit/guava are dominated by men. The middlemen provide information on demand and price of products. Men and women obtain the sa~e price when they use the same network. Men get higher price only when they go directly to the big market. Most women do not negotiate for price only on the term of payment . Although men dominated the market for vegetables and fruits, the allocation of expenditures from the sale of vegetables and fruits are similar to that of women. The source of power of men is from the long established network between men and the middlemen. In addition to institutionalized farmer groups and access to capital. The source of power of women is mainly from family networking and supports. Women who are actively participated in marketing gain support from their husband in production and marketing of vegetables and are more confidence in negotiating obstacles in marketing Katuk by selling directly to consumers/retail and obtained higher price than from middlemen.