WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN SMALL HOLDER PROUCTION OF AGRO –EXPORTS IN ABOTHUGUCHI WEST-MERU COUNTY

INTRODUCTION The main objective of this essay is to examine the role played by women in commercialization  of agriculture in particular in small holder production of agro exports in MeruAbothuguchi west and non traditional exports especially French beans production. Commercialization of agriculture may take different forms both involving production for domestic market and international market. Is this paper I concentrate on the input of women in output geared  towards  sale at the international  market. Their utilization by international firms which have had contractual agreements in the region purposelyon women labor in export crop. In most agricultural productive pasts of Kenya especially the central highland of Kiambu, Nyeri region and muranga  much of the land has been devoted to the production of agriculture crops for export. The decreasing resource  base in  these areas has seen more recourses  being devoted to the production of agriculture crops for export. Today many countries are achieving higher rates of agriculture growth   by diversifying their export to trade into non traditional  export. The boom in non-traditional export since the 1980s is best captured by the expanding fresh fruit and vegetables industry which has integrated bolt transnational agribusiness firms and small holder farmers. The world bank has promoted export horticulture on a labour intensive engine for economic growth that promises to revives livelihoods  and standards of  living  In meru region the non traditional export account for a growing share of womens  economic activity through sale of french beans (mishiri). In this essay  paper therefore I examine how women explore negotiate their economic wellbeing as export horticulture insinuates itself into their households.