THE ROLE OF KEFFI WOMEN IN AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT (original) (raw)
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International Journal of Multidisciplinary Approach and Studies Role of Women in Agriculture
Women are the backbone of the development of rural and national economies. They comprise 43% of the world's agricultural labor force, which rises to 70% in some countries. In Africa, 80% of the agricultural production comes from small farmers, who are mostly rural women. The international development community has recognized that agriculture is an engine of growth and poverty reduction in countries where it is the main occupation of the poor. Women make essential contributions to the agricultural and rural economies in all developing c0untries. Their roles vary considerably between and within regions and are changing rapidly in many parts of the world, where economic and social forces are transforming the agricultural sector. Rural women often manage complex households and pursue multiple livelihood strategies. This paper contributes to the gender debate in agriculture by assessing the empirical evidence in three areas that has received much attention in the literature: But the ...
The purpose of this chapter is to provide an analytical framework for evaluating the role of women's involvement in agriculture in the formulation of food policy. The question of women in agriculture is not a separate issue but is integral to all discussions relating to food policy. In this presentation, however, I am attempting to focus on some of the crucial issues relating to women and agriculture and to organize them into a conceptual framework for understanding their role in various production systems. The chapter looks at women in agriculture both as producers and as consumers. In this connection, two general concepts will be referred to frequently: (1) efficiency (in production) and (2) equity (which concerns production and income distribution, as well as consumption). While both of these are important issues everywhere, we shall see that in various parts of the world greater stress must be given to one than to the other.
Women in Agriculture in Contemporary Africa
The Palgrave Handbook of African Women's Studies
Agriculture remains one of the most important livelihood options for women across Africa, yet there are multiple challenges which include lack of access to land and productive assets, credit, and markets. In this chapter, we use a systematic review of the literature to analyze how women intersect and participate in the agriculture space in Africa. The chapter draws from multiple studies on women in agriculture across Africa and focuses on important thematic areas including land access, labor, agricultural policy, decision-making, livestock, and horticulture. Throughout the analysis, it is clear that women are largely marginalized and excluded from the lucrative parts of the agricultural value chain. Agriculture is thus largely constructed as a patriarchal system in which women play subordinate roles. Such a state of affairs poses serious challenges given that the vast majority
Women in Agriculture in West Asia and North Africa : a review of literature
1996
The paper provides an overview of the information available in a variety of published material on the topic of women in agriculture in West Asia, and North Africa (WANA). It examines the role of women in agriculture, and determines the extent of variability associated with their participation, despite scarce data, and limited subject studies. The review ultimately intends to: 1) consolidate information, so as to lay the patterns (commonalities, variation, and range), known thus far, of women's roles in agriculture; 2) assess the methodologies used to conduct gender-related studies; and, 3) suggest research, and technology development strategies which address constraints faced by women, and, provide ex ante analyses of the likely impact of proposed new technologies on women. The popular assumption that households are units of convergent interests is questioned, arguing technological change would bring a differential effect by gender within each class. The paper further summarizes...
RuSAN 26th Annual Congress Proceedings, 2017
The study assessed the involvement of women in crop production as an additional means of livelihood. Women's participation in crop production in agriculture has been gaining recognition in recent times. One hundred women were purposively selected for this study. The Local Government Area has eleven wards, four wards were purposively selected due to high concentration of women farmers in the areas. Structured questionnaires were administered to 25 women from each of the wards. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. The results showed that majority (63%) were within 25-40 years, those married are (71%), major occupation (53%), highest formal education was primary school (14%) while majority (73%) had Quranic education. The results revealed that the women were involved in land preparation, harvesting, weeding and processing. The results showed that about 71% cultivate maize, sorghum 66%, cowpea 53%, millet 30% and vegetables. Mixed cropping is being practiced by only 36% while 64% plant sole crop. The results further showed that 65% had ≤1ha of land and about 55% got land through inheritance. Majority (85%) use family labour. Personal savings (59%) was the women's source of income. The results of regression analysis showed that marital status and household size were negative but significantly influenced the women's involvement in crop production at 1%, education was negative but significant at 10%. Age was positively significant at 1%. The results further showed that inadequate funds, lack of awareness, lack of market, labour and religious barriers were the women's constraints in crop production. It was recommended that there is need of having women for extension service to serve more women.
Gender Disparities and the Role of Women in Smallholder Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa
International Journal of Science and Research, 2016
Gender equality is a basic human right that requires that men and women be treated equally with respect to resources, legislation and policies. Gender-based discrimination results in serious gaps in political, social and economic participation. In sub-Saharan Africa, agriculture is the livelihood of nearly 70% of the economically active population. For the rural poor, agriculture is the main source of employment and income, although the income generated is low. A host of factors leading to low yields means that many households continue to be food insecure. High rates of hunger are strongly linked to gender inequality. The agricultural sector is underperforming in many sub-Saharan African countries, in part because women do not have equal access to the resources and opportunities they need to become more productive. Women smallholder farmers in the sub-Saharan African region face numerous constraints. They may have access to land but very few actually own or have title to it; their plots tend to be less fertile than those belonging to men; they have fewer farm tools and equipment; and limited access to farm credit, inputs, technologies and information. In addition, women farmers lack access to improved seeds, reliable water supplies, markets, financing and insurance options, and moreover, suffer from unsupportive public policies. Furthermore, smallholder African women farmers often do not get paid for the farm work that they do, nor do they always earn and control the income from sales, a factor that may affect their incentives to effectively participate in agricultural production. Research also shows that development policies and practices often exacerbate the situation as they do not offer women farmers equal access to development resources, training and information, thereby limiting their opportunities and ability to contribute to agricultural development, food security and poverty reduction. The household and societal pay-offs to reducing women's constraints in productive activities are significant. Closing the agricultural gender gap would result in significant gains for the agricultural sector as well as society as a whole. Increasing the opportunities for women can have a powerful impact on productivity and agricultural-led growth. Women are just as efficient agricultural producers as men and can achieve similar yields when given access to resources, including training and services.
How Much of the Labor in African Agriculture is Provided by Women?
Policy Research Working Papers, 2015
The Policy Research Working Paper Series disseminates the findings of work in progress to encourage the exchange of ideas about development issues. An objective of the series is to get the findings out quickly, even if the presentations are less than fully polished. The papers carry the names of the authors and should be cited accordingly. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this paper are entirely those of the authors. They do not necessarily represent the views of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/World Bank and its affiliated organizations, or those of the Executive Directors of the World Bank or the governments they represent.