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Gartaula HN, Gebremariam G, Jaleta M. Gender, rainfall endowment, and farmers' heterogeneity in wheat trait preferences in Ethiopia. FOOD POLICY 2024; 122:102584. [PMID: 38314438 PMCID: PMC10830438 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2023.102584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Wheat is a vital cereal crop for smallholders in Ethiopia. Despite over fifty years of research on wheat varietal development, consideration of gendered trait preferences in developing target product profiles for wheat breeding is limited. To address this gap, our study used sex-disaggregated survey data and historical rainfall trends from the major wheat-growing regions in Ethiopia. The findings indicated heterogeneity in trait preferences based on gender and rainfall endowment. Men respondents tended to prefer wheat traits with high straw yield and disease-resistance potential, while women showed a greater appreciation for wheat traits related to good taste and cooking quality. Farmers in high rainfall areas seemed to prioritize high straw yield and disease resistance traits, while those in low rainfall areas valued good adaptation traits more highly. Most of the correlation coefficients among the preferred traits were positive, indicating that farmers seek wheat varieties with traits that serve multiple purposes. Understanding men's and women's preferences and incorporating them in breeding and seed systems could contribute to the development of more targeted and effective wheat varieties that meet the diverse needs of men and women farmers in Ethiopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hom N. Gartaula
- International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), New Delhi, India
| | | | - Moti Jaleta
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Voss RC, Gitonga ZM, Donovan J, Garcia-Medina M, Muindi P. Can I speak to the manager? The gender dynamics of decision-making in Kenyan maize plots. AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN VALUES 2023; 41:205-224. [PMID: 38404760 PMCID: PMC10884105 DOI: 10.1007/s10460-023-10484-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Gender and social inclusion efforts in agricultural development are focused on making uptake of agricultural technologies more equitable. Yet research looking at how gender relations influence technology uptake often assumes that men and women within a household make farm management decisions as individuals. Relatively little is understood about the dynamics of agricultural decision-making within dual-adult households where individuals' management choices are likely influenced by others in the household. This study used vignettes to examine decision-making related to maize plot management in 698 dual-adult households in rural Kenya. The results indicated a high degree of joint management of maize plots (55%), although some management decisions-notably those related to purchased inputs-were slightly more likely to be controlled by men, while other decisions-including those related to hiring of labor and maize end uses-were more likely to be made by women. The prevalence of joint decision-making underscores the importance of ensuring that both men's and women's priorities and needs are reflected in design and marketing of interventions to support maize production, including those related to seed systems, farmer capacity building, and input delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel C Voss
- Sustainable Agri-food Systems Program, International Maize & Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), ICRAF House, United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Zachary M. Gitonga
- Sustainable Agri-food Systems Program, International Maize & Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), ICRAF House, United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jason Donovan
- Sustainable Agri-food Systems Program, International Maize & Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Carretera México-Veracruz, Km. 45, El Batán, Texcoco, 56237 Mexico
| | - Mariana Garcia-Medina
- Knowledge, Technology and Innovation Group, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, 6708 PB, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Pauline Muindi
- Sustainable Agri-food Systems Program, International Maize & Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), ICRAF House, United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya
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Kolliesuah NP, Olum S, Ongeng D. Status of household dietary diversity and associated factors among rural and urban households of Northern Uganda. BMC Nutr 2023; 9:83. [PMID: 37430346 DOI: 10.1186/s40795-023-00739-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Northern Uganda, 21 and 52.4% of children under five are underweight and stunted, respectively while 32.9% of pregnant women are anemic. This demographic situation suggests among other issues, a lack of dietary diversity among households. Good nutrition practices that confer dietary quality such as dietary diversity are known to depend on nutrition knowledge and attitude and are shaped by sociodemographic and cultural factors. However, there is a paucity of empirical evidence to support this assertion for the variably malnourished population of Northern Uganda. METHODS A cross-sectional nutrition survey was conducted among 364 household caregivers (182 from two locations in Northern Uganda; Gulu District (the rural) and Gulu City (the urban), selected through a multistage sampling approach. The aim was to determine the status of dietary diversity and its associated factors between rural and urban households of Northern Uganda. The household dietary diversity questionnaire and the food frequency questionnaire on a 7-day reference period were used to collect data on household dietary diversity whereas multiple choice questions and the five points Likert Scale were used to determine knowledge and attitude toward dietary diversity. Consumption of ≤ 5 food groups were regarded as low in dietary diversity, 6-8 food groups as medium and ≥ 9 as high dietary diversity score using the FAO 12 food groups. An Independent two-sample t-test was used to differentiate the status of dietary diversity between the urban and rural areas. The Pearson Chi-square Test was used to determine the status of knowledge and attitude while Poisson regression was used to predict dietary diversity based on caregivers' nutritional knowledge and attitude and their associated factors. RESULTS The 7-day dietary recall period revealed that dietary diversity was 22% higher in urban (Gulu City) than in the rural area (Gulu District) with rural and urban households achieving medium (score of 8.76 ± 1.37) and high (score of 9.57 ± 1.44) dietary diversity status, respectively. Diets in both locations were dominated by starchy cereals and tubers while animal-source foods and fruits and vegetables were the least consumed. A higher proportion (51.65%) of urban respondents had good nutrition knowledge toward dietary diversity compared to their rural counterparts (23.08%) and a significantly higher proportion (87.91%) of the former exhibited positive attitude towards dietary diversity than the rural counterparts (72.53%). Application of the Poisson regression shows that nutritional knowledge was a positive predictor of dietary diversity in the rural (β = 0.114; ρ = 0.000) than in the urban areas (β = -0.008; ρ = 0.551). Caregivers attitude had no significant effect across locations. In terms of associated factors, marital status is a positive predictor of dietary diversity in the urban (β = 1.700; ρ = 0.001) than the other location (β = -2.541; ρ = 0.008). Whereas education level of household caregiver and household food expenditure show negative effects across the two locations, the educational level of the household head is an outlier as it positively predicted dietary diversity in the rural (β = 0.003; ρ = 0.002) when compared to urban area (β = -0.002; ρ = -0.011). CONCLUSION Rural households in Northern Uganda have medium-level dietary diversity with urban households having high dietary diversity. Diets in both locations are dominated by starchy cereals and roots and tubers. The urban-rural food divide can be harmonized through nutrition education and outreach, specifically focusing on the FAO 12 food groups. Attitude toward consumption of fruits and vegetables which are seasonally abundant would improve dietary diversity and nutritional outcomes in the study area.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Solomon Olum
- Department of Food Science and Post-harvest Technology, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
| | - Duncan Ongeng
- Department of Food Science and Post-harvest Technology, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
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Lecoutere E, van den Berg M, de Brauw A. Changes in women's empowerment in the household, women's diet diversity, and their relationship against the background of COVID-19 in southern Bangladesh. JOURNAL OF ASIAN ECONOMICS 2023; 84:101559. [PMID: 36407502 PMCID: PMC9650256 DOI: 10.1016/j.asieco.2022.101559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh, associated public health measures, and people's reactions were projected to have caused job losses among women, a decline in women's empowerment and reduced women's diet diversity. Using a November 2020 telephone survey to re-interview adult female respondents of a November 2019 in-person survey, contrary to expectations we find that more women found than lost jobs, and women's diet diversity increased over the year partly marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. We did not find evidence of a decline in women's involvement in food purchase decisions, nor women's autonomy over use of household income. The change in women's outside employment is neither statistically related to changes in women's involvement in food purchase decisions, changes women's autonomy over use of household income, nor changes in women's diet diversity. Change in women's involvement in food purchase decisions is positively related with change in women's diet diversity and change in women's autonomy over income use is negatively related with change in women's diet diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Els Lecoutere
- CGIAR GENDER Platform at International Livestock Research Institute, PO Box 30709, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | - Marrit van den Berg
- Development Economics Group of Wageningen University & Research, Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Alan de Brauw
- Markets, Trade, and Institutions Division of the International Food Policy Research Institute, Eye Street, 1201 I St NW, Washington D.C. DC 20005, United States
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Pierotti RS, Friedson-Ridenour S, Olayiwola O. Women farm what they can manage: How time constraints affect the quantity and quality of labor for married women's agricultural production in southwestern Nigeria. WORLD DEVELOPMENT 2022; 152:105800. [PMID: 35370344 PMCID: PMC8885426 DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2021.105800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Across sub-Saharan Africa smallholder farmers depend heavily on manual labor supplied by their households, families, and communities. Gender differences in the ability of farm managers to acquire needed labor has been linked with women's disadvantage in agricultural productivity. This in-depth qualitative research in southwestern Nigeria builds on studies that document gender gaps by examining how men and women make sense of the allocation of labor within their households. Insights from observation over the course of one year and interviews with 93 participants are combined with evidence from existing literature to develop a framework that illustrates the conceptual links between constraints on women's time use and the quantity and quality of labor available for their agricultural activities. We find that women's time and labor constraints are rooted in common social expectations that men's farm plots take priority and that a woman should only farm what she can manage without interfering with the agricultural production managed by her husband. Practically, this means that women's household responsibilities and off-farm work limit their own farm labor and their ability to supervise hired labor. The prioritization of men's plots also means that labor is allocated to men's plots first in the day, which results in less labor and potentially less productive labor available for women's farms. Also, women's access to labor is especially constrained by seasonal fluctuations in labor demand because of the precedence given to men's agricultural production. The conceptual framework is meant as a tool to be used in future research on time use, agricultural labor, and gender differences in agricultural productivity. It highlights the ways in which intrahousehold negotiations over labor and time use are not just about maximizing efficiency or productivity, but also about maintaining social hierarchies, roles, and responsibilities.
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Voss RC, Donovan J, Rutsaert P, Cairns JE. Gender inclusivity through maize breeding in Africa: A review of the issues and options for future engagement. OUTLOOK ON AGRICULTURE 2021; 50:392-405. [PMID: 35068590 PMCID: PMC8772246 DOI: 10.1177/00307270211058208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
With the prioritization of social inclusion in agricultural development, donors and research centers have shown growing interest in gender-intentional varietal development and delivery. Breeding maize varieties that respond to gender-based differences in trait preferences now represents a central objective of maize R&D in the CGIAR and elsewhere. Drawing on literature on gender and maize seed adoption, variety preferences, and seed system constraints, we take stock of knowns and unknowns related to gender-responsive and gender-intentional maize breeding. While recent research on farmers' variety preferences across crops has yielded insights into gender-based differences, we find that evidence of gender-differentiated preferences for maize varieties remains inconclusive. Ultimately, we identify several research priorities to support gender-intentional maize breeding, including a more nuanced understanding of gender relations in maize production and maize seed decision-making, new and more gender-responsive approaches to measuring farmer preferences and seed demand more broadly, and research to address operational challenges in gender-intentional breeding. We close by identifying some institutional constraints to achieving impact through gender-intentional maize breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel C. Voss
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), Nairobi, Kenya
- Rachel C. Voss, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), P.O. Box 1041, Nairobi 00621, Kenya.
| | - Jason Donovan
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), Texcoco, Mexico
| | - Pieter Rutsaert
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jill E. Cairns
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), Harare, MP, Zimbabwe
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Asadullah MN, Kambhampati U. Feminization of farming, food security and female empowerment. GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gfs.2021.100532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Gilligan DO, Kumar N, McNiven S, Meenakshi J, Quisumbing A. Bargaining power, decision making, and biofortification: The role of gender in adoption of orange sweet potato in Uganda. FOOD POLICY 2020; 95:101909. [PMID: 32952268 PMCID: PMC7487787 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2020.101909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We examine the role of gender dimensions of intrahousehold bargaining power and decision making in the adoption and diffusion of orange sweet potato (OSP), a biofortified crop being promoted to increase dietary intakes of vitamin A in Uganda. We use patterns of ownership and control of land and other assets by married men and women to create gender-disaggregated indicators of bargaining power, allowing for joint and sole ownership and control of land and assets. Using data from an experimental evaluation of a project promoting OSP adoption, we find that the probability of adopting OSP is not affected by the exclusive or joint control of assets by women at the household level. However, within households, parcels of land under joint control, in which the woman has primary control over decision making, are significantly more likely to contain OSP. Women who control a higher share of household nonland resources are more likely to share OPS vines, showing that women use greater bargaining power to facilitate diffusion of this health-promoting technology. We do not find any impact of women's bargaining power on children's dietary intakes of Vitamin A, possibly because husbands and wives have the same preferences regarding their children's nutritional status. These results contribute to reshaping our understanding of household decision making to inform the design and implementation of agriculture-nutrition interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Neha Kumar
- International Food Policy Research Institute, United States
| | - Scott McNiven
- University of California, Davis (posthumous), United States
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