International Journal of Marine Science, 2016, Vol.6, No.18, 1-8
1
Research Article
Open Access
Role of Women in Fish Processing at Msaka Beach in Mangochi District, Southern
Malawi
Sawasawa W.
, Kapute F., Mzengereza K.
Department of Fisheries Science, Mzuzu University, Private Bag 201, Mzuzu 2, Malawi
Corresponding author email:
International Journal of Marine Science, 2016, Vol.6, No.18 doi:
Received: 30 Mar., 2016
Accepted: 31 Mar., 2016
Published: 20 Apr., 2016
Copyright © 2016 This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use,
distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Preferred citation for this article:
Sawasawa W., Kapute F and Mzengereza K., 2016, Role of Women in Fish Processing at Msaka Beach in Mangochi District, Southern Malawi, International
Journal of Marine Science, 6(18): 1-8 (doi:
Abstract
The study aimed at determining fish processing techniques and factors that influence involvement of women in fish
processing in Malawi. Systematic random sampling was used to select a total of 89 women who were interviewed using a structured
questionnaire. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Frequency tables was used to show the
number of women involved in fish in processing while cross tabulations were used to show relationship between factors that
influence involvement of women in fish processing. Chi-square () test was used to show the significant differences between factors
that influence involvement of women and processing techniques. The study found out that a majority of women (82%) process fish
through sun-drying while a few parboils (4%), smoking is done by (2%) and(1%). sell fresh fish. Lack of fish processing materials
mainly firewood appears to be the major drive towards use of sun-drying. Furthermore, level of education, marital status and
household size were the factors that influence involvement of women in fish processing.
Keywords
Fish processing; Women
;
Engraulicypris sardella
1 Introduction
Fish account for nearly one quarter of the words supply of protein which improves health condition of human
beings (Costa-piece, 2005). Globally, fish processing is usually categorized as full processing or semi-processing.
Women are usually involved in semi-processing due to huge capital investment that is required in full processing
than in semi-processing (Nayak, 2000). Processing is done to preserve and improve the flavor of fish Processed
fish has different taste influenced by the technique of processing and that provides a wide range of consumer
preferences (Lwenya and Abila, 2000). Women employ different processing techniques among which are;
smoking, sun-drying, salting and frying.
About 85% of the population in Malawi live in rural areas (World Fact Book, 2002) and over 65% people live
below poverty line. Fish provides the most affordable quality source of dietary animal protein (MRSP, 2005).
More than 50,000 fishers are directly involved in fisheries sector and 350,000 people are either involved in fish
processing, fish marketing and other related activities and women are underrepresented in the processing activities
(Common Wealth/GTZ, 2007). An estimated 90% of fish caught in Malawi is processed into various fish products.
However, processing facilities at most beaches are poor and inadequate (Hara, 1996).
The main problem in fish processing is that there are low levels of women participation such that women are
underrepresented (Common Wealth/GTZ, 2007). Most women in the developing world especially Africa spend
time in doing household chores and taking care of children. Some cultural beliefs confine women to just get
married produce and take care of children without doing any activities that can generate income (FAO, 2012).
Low levels of education and skills in fish processing (UN Report, 2003) hinders most women participation in fish
processing. In addition, inadequate funding to empower women to participate in fish processing activities and
access to soft loans to enable women purchase different storage facilities and processing materials (Van de Ban,
2004) contributes to low women participation in fish processing. Finally, there is lack of training as refresher
courses to women processors both locally and internationally to improve fish processing activities which would
