The Effect of Gender on the Commercialisation of Goat Production in the Semi-arid Area of Msinga, South Africa

Factors affecting households’ choices to participate in markets are often not disaggregated by gender, leading to policies that are insensitive to women’s needs. Using qualitative and quantitative methods, the study analysed challenges faced by male and female-headed households in goat commercialisation in the semi-arid Msinga area of South Africa. The main constraints were poor condition of goats and mortality, high illiteracy rates of women, shortage of transport to take goats to the market and limited access to information. The study recommends that women be provided with greater market access and information and for the government to avail more attractive investment opportunities to reduce the use of goats as a store of wealth.