Gender and social inclusion
Gender and other social differences such as age, wealth and ethnicity, have an enormous influence upon the success of agricultural interventions. To ensure equitable impacts and benefits to rural people, CIMMYT emphasizes inclusive research and development interventions. Starting with the collection of data on gender and social differences, efforts are underway to address these gaps and ensure equitable adoption of technologies and practice. This includes working towards gender-equitable control of productive assets and resources; technologies that reduce women’s labor; and improved capacity of women and youth to participate in decision-making.
New publications: Understanding changes in farming systems to propose adapted solutions
Researchers identify national policies, climate and soil fertility changes, population increase, and urban expansion as the major drivers of farming systems change in the Hawassa area of Ethiopia.
Rural women of eastern and southern Africa gain ground
On the International Day of Rural Women, October 15, meet farmers who are leading their families and their communities to a better life.
Pulses, cobs and a healthy soil prove the success of a rural innovator
Long-term research on climate-smart agriculture in Malawi has improved the productivity, resilience and prospects of Mary Twaya, a single mother of three.
New publications: Do market shocks generate gender-differentiated impacts?
New study provides recommendations to help female-headed households cope with market volatility.
New publications: Exploring how women seize control of wheat–maize technologies in Bangladesh
An agricultural organization led by indigenous Santal women is also benefiting low-income Muslim women.
Study proposes alternative to conventional technology adoption research in smallholder agriculture
An alternative conceptual framework uses a process-oriented approach to understand technological change that focuses more on the agency of different social actors in the agricultural system.
Cobs & Spikes podcast: Interview with Juan Gonzalo Jaramillo Mejia on social inclusion
Taking a social inclusion lens to social protection and the role of men in gender equality.
Precision spreader for fertilizer set to change the agriculture scene in Nepal
The small hand-operated device, which ensures the even distribution of fertilizer, could support food production, nutrition, and even the incorporation of women to farming.
Breaking Ground: Munyaradzi Mutenje tailors innovations to farmers needs
Mutenje opens dialogue with farmers to design new interventions that target farmers’ needs and achieve positive impact.
New association formed to support smallholder native maize farmers in Mexico
ProMaíz Nativo will promote small-scale landrace maize farmers through certification and fair market access.
Cobs & Spikes podcast: Women in wheat science
Wheat physiologist Carolina Rivera shares what it is like to be a woman in agricultural science working on one of the world’s biggest problems — how to feed a growing planet.
Women and youth find profitable business pathways through small-scale mechanization
FACASI project explored ways to address access to appropriate mechanization solutions.
Are high land rental costs pricing African youth out of agriculture?
Rural land grows scarce as populations rise and more youth farm for their livelihoods.
Seeds of progress
In a male-dominated sector, women leading maize seed companies in eastern and southern Africa share their experiences.