Food insecurity and hunger remain significant global challenges exacerbated by conflict, inequality and climate change. The agricultural industry is vital to local and regional economies throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, as both a source of food security and a significant source of employment, especially for women.
What role do women play in agriculture in the SSA?
The role of women in agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa is often understated or not acknowledged. Outside cultural considerations, much of this can be attributed to a lack of available gender-disaggregated data.
Studies across Sub-Saharan Africa has revealed that women play a critical role in many facets of pre and post-harvest production. For instance, the FAO reports that “while men are often responsible for land clearing, burning and polishing, women specialise in weeding, transplanting, post-harvest work and, in some areas, land preparation and both take part in seeding and harvesting”. Women also play a pivotal role in natural resource management and are far more likely to grow food crops than cash crops.
What challenges do women face in the agricultural industry?
It is estimated that women account for approximately 43% of the agricultural labour force globally. Despite this contribution, gender-based discrimination denies rural women and girls equitable access to land, credit, weather and climate information, and other productive resources, which if they had access to, could increase overall agricultural production by an estimated 20%.
For instance, even though the Department of Economic and Social Affairs Population Division have stated that an average of 28% of households in SSA are headed by a female, the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data shows that only 13% of women in the region have sole ownership of land.
Impact of gender studies on policy making
Evidence from several studies indicates that implementing gender-inclusive policies in a sector will typically lead to increased development, this is especially relevant for sectors such as agriculture, labour and climate change adaptation for food security.
For instance, research by scientists at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in Nigeria showed that women’s access to inputs and participation in agricultural decisions either independently or together with their male counterparts typically increases agricultural productivity.
This led to the adoption and implementation of the National Gender Policy in Agriculture by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Nigeria, whose overarching goal is to ensure equal opportunities and access to agricultural resources, services and programmes to achieve food security, regardless of gender. The policy was implemented in 2021, and while there are no indicators to measure its
impact as of yet, the National Gender Steering Committee tasked with its implementation has high hopes for the potential effects on the country.
Some national agricultural programmes that have yielded demonstrated success in the past include the Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP) in Malawi and the Land Tenure Regularization programme (LTR) in Rwanda. Both programmes have helped close the gender gap in modern maize adoption and reduce gender discrimination in land access in Malawi and Rwanda respectively.
The FISP programme which provided subsidized seed and fertilizer coupons positively influenced modern maize adoption instead of higher value cash crops by female household heads, which is critical to achieving food security in Malawi. The LTR programme, on the other hand, has helped achieve greater land tenure security and has had positive impacts on agricultural investment, especially in female-headed households in Rwanda.
Policy making implications
Agricultural drivers are built on a gendered system with embedded gender inequalities that affect men and women differently. There is, therefore, a need for gender-inclusive agricultural policies and programs to address the unequal access to productive resources.
Farrelly & Mitchell Food and Agriculture Consulting
We have a team of agriculture and food system experts at Farrelly & Mitchell who support governments, policymakers, multilaterals, and other related agencies across the world in building their agri-food regulatory systems. Our experience across the entire agrifood value chain and the regulatory detail involved in every facet of the system means that policymakers can benefit from our knowledge of how certain systems work in practice and are affected by different factors in different regions. We empower our client to make the right decisions and ultimately create a safe, nutritious, and effective food supply.
If your project requires a national or international level understanding along with local level experience, get in touch with us today to discuss how we can help.
Email [email protected]
To learn more about our services in policy and regulation click here.
Author
Sub-Saharan Africa: What pivotal role do women play in achieving food security and what impact do gender inclusive policies have?
Food insecurity and hunger remain significant global challenges exacerbated by conflict, inequality and climate change. The agricultural industry is vital to local and regional economies throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, as both a source of food security and a significant source of employment, especially for women.
What role do women play in agriculture in the SSA?
The role of women in agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa is often understated or not acknowledged. Outside cultural considerations, much of this can be attributed to a lack of available gender-disaggregated data.
Studies across Sub-Saharan Africa has revealed that women play a critical role in many facets of pre and post-harvest production. For instance, the FAO reports that “while men are often responsible for land clearing, burning and polishing, women specialise in weeding, transplanting, post-harvest work and, in some areas, land preparation and both take part in seeding and harvesting”. Women also play a pivotal role in natural resource management and are far more likely to grow food crops than cash crops.
What challenges do women face in the agricultural industry?
It is estimated that women account for approximately 43% of the agricultural labour force globally. Despite this contribution, gender-based discrimination denies rural women and girls equitable access to land, credit, weather and climate information, and other productive resources, which if they had access to, could increase overall agricultural production by an estimated 20%.
For instance, even though the Department of Economic and Social Affairs Population Division have stated that an average of 28% of households in SSA are headed by a female, the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data shows that only 13% of women in the region have sole ownership of land.
Impact of gender studies on policy making
Evidence from several studies indicates that implementing gender-inclusive policies in a sector will typically lead to increased development, this is especially relevant for sectors such as agriculture, labour and climate change adaptation for food security.
For instance, research by scientists at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in Nigeria showed that women’s access to inputs and participation in agricultural decisions either independently or together with their male counterparts typically increases agricultural productivity.
This led to the adoption and implementation of the National Gender Policy in Agriculture by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Nigeria, whose overarching goal is to ensure equal opportunities and access to agricultural resources, services and programmes to achieve food security, regardless of gender. The policy was implemented in 2021, and while there are no indicators to measure its
impact as of yet, the National Gender Steering Committee tasked with its implementation has high hopes for the potential effects on the country.
Some national agricultural programmes that have yielded demonstrated success in the past include the Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP) in Malawi and the Land Tenure Regularization programme (LTR) in Rwanda. Both programmes have helped close the gender gap in modern maize adoption and reduce gender discrimination in land access in Malawi and Rwanda respectively.
The FISP programme which provided subsidized seed and fertilizer coupons positively influenced modern maize adoption instead of higher value cash crops by female household heads, which is critical to achieving food security in Malawi. The LTR programme, on the other hand, has helped achieve greater land tenure security and has had positive impacts on agricultural investment, especially in female-headed households in Rwanda.
Policy making implications
Agricultural drivers are built on a gendered system with embedded gender inequalities that affect men and women differently. There is, therefore, a need for gender-inclusive agricultural policies and programs to address the unequal access to productive resources.
Farrelly & Mitchell Food and Agriculture Consulting
We have a team of agriculture and food system experts at Farrelly & Mitchell who support governments, policymakers, multilaterals, and other related agencies across the world in building their agri-food regulatory systems. Our experience across the entire agrifood value chain and the regulatory detail involved in every facet of the system means that policymakers can benefit from our knowledge of how certain systems work in practice and are affected by different factors in different regions. We empower our client to make the right decisions and ultimately create a safe, nutritious, and effective food supply.
If your project requires a national or international level understanding along with local level experience, get in touch with us today to discuss how we can help.
Email [email protected]
To learn more about our services in policy and regulation click here.
Author
Stephen Awuah's featured publications
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Coronavirus update: national and regional action needed in Ghana and West Africa
West African nations like Ghana can combat the worst effects of the coronavirus on food supplies if they act on storage and finance.
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Ghana during COVID-19 – Facing up to food supply chain problems
Food supply chain problems associated with the COVID-19 pandemic threaten to disrupt Ghana’s agribusiness progress
Government & multilaterals
Food technology for food security in Africa
Food and agricultural technology has an important role to play in increasing production to match the demand for food from a growing population in Africa.
Food safety & security
Sub-Saharan Africa: What pivotal role do women play in achieving food security and what impact do gender inclusive policies have?
Food insecurity and hunger remain significant global challenges exacerbated by conflict, inequality and climate change
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Deep dive into Ghana’s food & agribusiness country profile
Ghana was reported as the world's fastest-growing economy in 2019 by the IMF with agriculture playing a leading role in its growth. Read more.
Agribusiness
Ghana’s leading business paper features Farrelly & Mitchell’s work in training over 40 SMEs in key entrepreneur skills
Farrelly & Mitchell have provided capacity and entrepreneurial skills training to 40 small and medium-sized enterprises in Ghana to equip them with the knowledge they need to enhance their businesses.
Food safety & security
Tackling energy constraints in Sub-Saharan Africa: What are the challenges and opportunities?
Only around 2% of Africa’s total electricity consumption is allocated to the agriculture sector. Read about the practical solutions that could boost energy access in Sub-Saharan Africa paving the way for agricultural investment in the region.
Agribusiness
Growing demand for mankind’s most important source of calories
The rice market is significant as it is the world’s most important staple food, grown in over 100 countries & consumed by half the world’s population daily.
Sustainability & ESG
A sustainable green revolution for Africa
Rather than copying India’s Green Revolution, African countries should learn from those mistakes, look to raise productivity levels without harming natural resources.
Agribusiness
Farrelly & Michell’s Stephen Awuah on the prospects for food & agribusiness in Africa
Farrelly & Mitchell Africa's Stephen Awuah speaks about the company’s consultancy work in west and sub-Saharan Africa.
Sustainability & ESG
The importance of building sustainability & ESG into your food or agribusiness
Our food sustainability consultants are present in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East part of our extended team of 300 experts worldwide.
Food safety & security
Ghana can help feed Africa
Progressive Ghana's agriculture resources makes it highly sought after in terms of sector investment and it is leading by example in Africa.
Food safety & security
Growing demand for mankind’s most important source of calories
The rice market is significant as it is the world’s most important staple food, grown in over 100 countries and consumed by half the world’s population daily.
Food safety & security
How Africa can feed the world: food security and sustainable agriculture
Africa is on the path to self-sufficiency. The road ahead is uncertain, and food security issues need to be addressed. Read our in-depth report.
Food & beverage
East African food safety and security threatened by plague of locusts
Food safety and overall food security in East Africa is under threat. Conditions, accelerated by climate change has led to locusts.
Agribusiness
Coronavirus update: national and regional action needed in Ghana and West Africa
West African nations like Ghana can combat the worst effects of the coronavirus on food supplies if they act on storage and finance.
Food safety & security
Ghana during COVID-19 – Facing up to food supply chain problems
Food supply chain problems associated with the COVID-19 pandemic threaten to disrupt Ghana’s agribusiness progress
Government & multilaterals
Food technology for food security in Africa
Food and agricultural technology has an important role to play in increasing production to match the demand for food from a growing population in Africa.
Food safety & security
Sub-Saharan Africa: What pivotal role do women play in achieving food security and what impact do gender inclusive policies have?
Food insecurity and hunger remain significant global challenges exacerbated by conflict, inequality and climate change
Agribusiness
Deep dive into Ghana’s food & agribusiness country profile
Ghana was reported as the world's fastest-growing economy in 2019 by the IMF with agriculture playing a leading role in its growth. Read more.
Agribusiness
Ghana’s leading business paper features Farrelly & Mitchell’s work in training over 40 SMEs in key entrepreneur skills
Farrelly & Mitchell have provided capacity and entrepreneurial skills training to 40 small and medium-sized enterprises in Ghana to equip them with the knowledge they need to enhance their businesses.
Food safety & security
Tackling energy constraints in Sub-Saharan Africa: What are the challenges and opportunities?
Only around 2% of Africa’s total electricity consumption is allocated to the agriculture sector. Read about the practical solutions that could boost energy access in Sub-Saharan Africa paving the way for agricultural investment in the region.
Agribusiness
Growing demand for mankind’s most important source of calories
The rice market is significant as it is the world’s most important staple food, grown in over 100 countries & consumed by half the world’s population daily.
Sustainability & ESG
A sustainable green revolution for Africa
Rather than copying India’s Green Revolution, African countries should learn from those mistakes, look to raise productivity levels without harming natural resources.
Agribusiness
Farrelly & Michell’s Stephen Awuah on the prospects for food & agribusiness in Africa
Farrelly & Mitchell Africa's Stephen Awuah speaks about the company’s consultancy work in west and sub-Saharan Africa.
Sustainability & ESG
The importance of building sustainability & ESG into your food or agribusiness
Our food sustainability consultants are present in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East part of our extended team of 300 experts worldwide.
Food safety & security
Ghana can help feed Africa
Progressive Ghana's agriculture resources makes it highly sought after in terms of sector investment and it is leading by example in Africa.
Food safety & security
Growing demand for mankind’s most important source of calories
The rice market is significant as it is the world’s most important staple food, grown in over 100 countries and consumed by half the world’s population daily.
Food safety & security
How Africa can feed the world: food security and sustainable agriculture
Africa is on the path to self-sufficiency. The road ahead is uncertain, and food security issues need to be addressed. Read our in-depth report.
Food & beverage
East African food safety and security threatened by plague of locusts
Food safety and overall food security in East Africa is under threat. Conditions, accelerated by climate change has led to locusts.
Agribusiness
Coronavirus update: national and regional action needed in Ghana and West Africa
West African nations like Ghana can combat the worst effects of the coronavirus on food supplies if they act on storage and finance.
Food safety & security
Ghana during COVID-19 – Facing up to food supply chain problems
Food supply chain problems associated with the COVID-19 pandemic threaten to disrupt Ghana’s agribusiness progress
Government & multilaterals
Food technology for food security in Africa
Food and agricultural technology has an important role to play in increasing production to match the demand for food from a growing population in Africa.