Admission No.

AEM-MOOCs/2022/12/714
Name. Priyatosh Debnath
Semester. I
Course code. AEM 104
Course Title. Gender Mainstreaming for Agricultural Development

Signature.
Date. 29/03/2023
3) Gender issues in agriculture? Ways to address them.

Introduction:
Gender issues in agriculture have been prevalent for decades. Even though women are
actively involved in the agriculture industry, they have been side-lined for long. Such
discrimination affects women’s participation and limits their contribution to the economic
development of the agricultural sector.

Studies reveal that women farmers account for 43% of the agricultural workforce in
developing nations; however, they remain deprived of the resources, extension services, and
education required to develop their skills and knowledge in agriculture (Rosengrant,
Marshall, & Sinha, 2019). Therefore, it is crucial to address gender issues in agriculture to
ensure equal distribution of resources and opportunities.

Objectives:

1. To enhance the participation of women in agriculture by providing them with training and
education.

2. To increase the access of women farmers to resources and technology, including land
rights and finance, to improve their productivity and profitability.

Ways to Address Gender Issues in Agriculture

1. Education and Training

For decades, training and education have been the most viable tools to empower women in
agriculture. The agriculture industry offers various career paths ranging from crop cultivation
and animal keeping to food processing and marketing. Women can participate in each of
these activities to contribute to the agricultural sector.

Therefore, providing women with education and training in agriculture will enhance their
knowledge and skills, enabling them to fully participate in the agricultural industry.
Governments, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector can support the
initiative by providing training programs tailored to women’s needs.
2. Increasing Access to Financial Services

Access to finance is critical to the success of agricultural-based enterprises. Women have

limited access to finance since they lack collateral assets acceptable to financial institutions
(Tibune & Worku, 2020).

Therefore, there is a need to increase women's access to financial services by providing

government-supported credit schemes for women farmers with favourable terms and
conditions. Partnering with commercial banks and other financial institutions to provide
women farmers with collateral-free finance can also help mitigate the challenge.

3. Enhancing Land and Property Rights

Women farmers in most African countries lack land and property rights, making it
challenging for them to access credit from financial institutions or participate in decision-
making processes. In some instances, women inheritors end up losing the land they have
inherited from their deceased husbands, as their in-laws refuse to recognize their rights to
property.

Addressing these challenges would require collaboration between the government, civil
society organizations, and women's groups. Governments can adopt policies that allow
women to own and inherit land, and civil society organizations can advocate for inclusive
property rights. Therefore, enhancing women's land and property rights are essential for equal
participation in agriculture.

4. Technology and Innovation

The role of technology and innovation in agriculture has transformed the agricultural
industry, and women have not been left behind. Mechanization and modern technology offer
improved yields and enhances efficiency, making agriculture more profitable.

Therefore, promoting the use of technological tools, such as mobile applications and
software, can be beneficial to women farmers. Such innovations can provide access to
agronomic information and improve market linkages, increasing their productivity and
profitability.

Conclusion:

Greater gender equality in agriculture can help lift millions of women out of poverty,
improve food security, and enhance economic development. Providing education, financing
opportunities, land rights, and promoting technology and innovation are the cornerstones in
addressing gender issues in agriculture.
References:

Rosengrant, M. W., Marshall, E., & Sinha, A. (2019). Women in agriculture: Closing the
gender gap for development. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

Tibune, Y., & Worku, M. (2020). Women’s access to credit in Ethiopia: Challenges and
possible interventions. African Journal of Economic and Sustainable Development, 2(2), 130-
149.