Women in Agriculture (3)

Women in Agriculture (3)


MAJOR CHALLENGES FACED BY WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE
Gender difference is one of the major factors affecting the role women play in agriculture globally. There seems to be more women involved in pre-planting, planting, harvesting and even processing, than there are in importation and exportation of agricultural produce. And even women who are involved in farming are often not loaded with the privileg

es that majority of their male counterparts have. In fact, a particular research reports that women who work on farm in certain regions of Africa are usually paid less for the same work performed by their male counterparts. Some of the major challenges faced by women in Agriculture include the following;
1.    Limited access to education
2.    Control over natural resources
3.    Insecure employment and low income
4.    Deteriorating health and work conditions
Factors responsible for some of the above listed challenges include the following;
1.    Growing competition on agricultural markets which increases the demand for flexible and cheap labor.
2.    Growing pressure on and conflicts over natural resources.
3.    The diminishing support by governments for small-scale farms and the reallocation of economic resources in favor of large agro enterprises.
4.    Increasing exposure to risks related to natural disasters and environmental changes.
5.    Worsening access to water, increasing occupational and health risks.

POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE CHALLENGES FACED BY WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE
Despite progress made in national and international policies since the first world conference on women in 1975, urgent action is still necessary to implement gender and social equity in AKST [Agricultural Knowledge Science and Technology] policies and practices if we are to better address gender issues as integral to development processes. Such action includes;
1.    Strengthening the capacity of public institutions and NGOs to improve the knowledge of women’s changing forms of involvement in farm and other activities in AKST.
2.    Giving priority to women’s access to education, information, science and technology, and extension services to enable improving women’s access, ownership and control of economic and natural resources.
3.    To ensure such access, ownership and control legal measures, appropriate credit schemes, support for women’s income generating activities and the reinforcement of women’s organizations and networks are needed.
4.    Strengthening women’s ability to benefit from market-based opportunities by institutions and policies giving explicit priority to women farmer groups in value chains.

A number of other changes will strengthen women’s contributions to agricultural production and sustainability. These include support for public services and investment in rural areas in order to improve women’s living and working conditions; giving priority to technological development policies targeting rural and farm women’s needs and recognizing their knowledge, skills and experience in the production of food and the conservation of biodiversity; and assessing the negative effects and risks of farming practices and technology, including pesticides on women’s health, and taking measures to reduce use and exposure. Finally, if we are to better recognize women as integral to sustainable development, it is critical to ensure gender balance in AKST decision-making at all levels and provide mechanisms to hold AKST organizations accountable for progress in the above areas.

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Article By:
Okediji Oluwadurotimi
Food, Nutrients & Health