Empowering Women Farmers: A Mechanization Catalogue for Practitioners

Rural women around the world are essential to agri-food value chains but face numerous challenges, including land degradation, climate change, and unpaid work. They are often relegated to manual, time-consuming operations and lack access to critical services, information, and technologies, which affects their work burden and income generation potential.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 60 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2022
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Rural women around the world play a vital role in agri-food value chains, undertaking a wide range of agricultural operations. However, their work is increasingly impacted by land degradation, climate change, and out-migration. Despite their significant contributions, their work is often unrecognized, unqualified, and unpaid. Moreover, the traditional division of labor often relegates women to manual, time-consuming operations with high degrees of drudgery.

The combination of family responsibilities and limited access to critical services, information, and technologies further exacerbates women's work burden and hinders their potential for income generation. For instance, women with fewer rights over land face challenges in accessing subsidies, financing, and mechanization, which can limit their agricultural productivity and economic opportunities.

Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach. It involves promoting gender equality, providing access to education and training, and supporting women's empowerment. Governments, international organizations, and the private sector can play a crucial role in implementing policies and initiatives that promote rural women's economic and social development.

One important step is to ensure women's equal rights to land and other natural resources. This can include supporting land reform programs, providing legal protection for women's land rights, and promoting gender-responsive land management practices. Additionally, promoting access to credit, financing, and technology can help women invest in their farms and expand their agricultural operations.

Furthermore, addressing the social and cultural barriers that limit women's participation in agriculture is essential. This can involve promoting gender-sensitive education and training programs, providing support for women's organizations and networks, and addressing gender-based violence and discrimination.

In conclusion, rural women's work in agri-food value chains is crucial for food security and economic development. However, their work is often undervalued and marginalized. By promoting gender equality, providing access to education and resources, and addressing social and cultural barriers, we can help empower rural women and ensure their sustainable participation in agri-food value chains.

Dimension: 297 x 210 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789251357910