Equity implications of promoting technical change : experiences with sustainable soil management practices in maize-based systems in the mid-hills of Nepal
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ArticleLanguage: English Publication details: Nepal : NARC : CIMMYT, 2002.Subject(s): DDC classification: - 631.536 RAJ
| Item type | Current library | Collection | Call number | Copy number | Status | Date due | Barcode | Item holds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conference paper | CIMMYT Knowledge Center: John Woolston Library | CIMMYT Publications Collection | 631.536 RAJ (Browse shelf(Opens below)) | 1 | Available | 1O631641 |
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The sustainable Soil Management Programme (SSMP) has the objective to promote the uptake of improved soil management practices by men and women farmers. SSMP works in mainly maize-based farming systems. It has an explicit gender orientation as one of the 7 major guiding principles for its work. The quantitative involvement of women's groups in SSMP-supported projects averages around 50%. However, in addition to this quantitative achievement, qualitative integration of women is equally important for the real gender orientation. Gender equity in Sustainable Soil Management (SSM) implies a balanced contribution of men and women farmers in the decisions about new SSM technologies. A new approach for discussing and reflecting about gender implications of new technologies of SSM was developed and field-tested in 2000. This was done through a collaborative effort among several organizations with support from the Programme Support Unit (PSU). The approach starts with an analysis of the historical change in farming in the area with an forecast of desired changes in the future. This is followed by a discussion on the effect of change on the farm unit and the family and the implications of the adoption of a new SSM- practice on them. The analysis ends with setting goals for concrete changes in gender responsibilities among family members. In all steps, visual tools are used for analysis with men and women farmers. The experiences from 2000 are being used in 2001 for studying in more detail the implications of specific SSM- practices on gender relations in the family unit. Furthermore, the field-level implementation by about 35 organizations in 2001 will also test the utility of the approach. It is expected that the outcome will be a confirmed methodology and better understanding of farmers' experiences with new SSM- practices. It has expected to contribute to a more gender- sensitive promotion of new SSM practices in the future. The major challenges, in the implementation of gender equity, have been identified as promoting change against locally restrictive actors and promoting patience in all stakeholders in continuing actions for gradual change in the traditional society.
Text in English
0304|AGRIS 0201|AL-Economics Program|R01PROCE
CIMMYT Publications Collection
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