The relationship between gender roles, legume production, utilization and child feeding
practices in rural smallholder households of Dedza and Ntcheu districts in Malawi was
investigated and analyzed. A cross-sectional research study was conducted with legume
farming households with children aged 6-23 months who were part of the Africa
RISING ‘mother trial’ or ‘baby trials’ for two farming seasons (2014/2015 to
2015/2016). Africa RISING project encourages smallholder farmers to grow legumes
namely, groundnut
( Arachis hypogaea
), cowpea
( Vigna unguiculata
), pigeon pea
( Cajanus cajan
) and soya bean
(Glycin max) as one way of improving the wellbeing of
smallholder farmers. The key objective of the research was to assess the influence of
gender roles, legume production, utilization and infant and young child dietary intake.
In total, 291 households with children 6-23 months were targeted. Eight focus group
discussions (FDGs) for in-depth qualitative data were conducted. Two 24-hour dietary
recalls and food frequency questionnaires were used to collect data on infant and young
child feeding (IYCF) practices. Data collected were extracted, arranged, recorded and
analyzed by using SPSS version 21. About 18% of children aged 6-23 months received
a minimum dietary diversity (the consumption of four or more food groups from the
seven food groups), 2.5% received a minimum acceptable diet (indicator measures both
the minimum feeding frequency and minimum dietary diversity, as appropriate for
various age groups) and 37.5% of children received a minimum meal frequency
(frequency of receiving solid, semi-solid, or soft foods at the minimum numbers of two
and three times for children aged 6–8 months, and 9–23 months, respectively). Control
on use of income by women had a positive and significant association with minimum
dietary diversity (P<0.05), minimum meal frequency (P<0.05) and minimum
acceptable diets (P<0.05) among children of both sexes. Children aged 6-23 months
from households where women were actively involved in partial processing and
budgeting of legumes met minimum dietary diversity than children from nonparticipating
households. Women farmers were more knowledgeable about legumes;
played an important role in seed selection, storage and processing; however, the
findings signal an opportunity to increase women’s income by involving them in
market information. Increasing legume production at household level does not mean
increasing the nutritional status among children (6-23 months). Several factors related
to gender roles, markets accessibility and legume utilization have an effect on infant
and young child feeding practices.