TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF RESEARCH ON WOMEN FARMERS IN AFRICA: LESSONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS; WITH AN ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Abstract

Based on an extensive review of the literature on women farmers in Africa, this paper
explores the potential reasons why women farmers have not adopted improved maize
technologies and discusses the implications for agricultural research. Women farmers
are often constrained by their lack of access to labor, land, and inputs. In addition,
women may prefer different outputs than men. Finally, the dynamics of household
decision-making affects technology adoption; roles and responsibilities within the
household are often renegotiated when new technologies are adopted, and women may
be reluctant to provide labor if they do not receive some of the benefits. Each section of
this paper includes a number of questions that may provide insights into the gender
roles and dynamics in a particular community. Three general conclusions can be drawn
from the available literature. First, there is enormous complexity and heterogeneity
among African households. Second, there is no simple way to summarize gender roles
within African households and communities. Third, gender roles and responsibilities
are dynamic; in particular, they change with new economic circumstances. An extensive
annotated bibliography on gender issues and the adoption of maize technologies in
Africa follows the review of studies.

Acknowledgments

The author would like to especially thank Amy MacDonald and Kirstin Thomas for
their excellent research assistance on this project. Hilary Feldstein provided many
useful resources and much encouragement. A number of people kindly responded to
my numerous requests for information on maize and women farmers in Africa
including Greg Edmeades, Mickie Swisher, Louise Fortmann, Jeffrey Alwang, Barbara
MkNelly, Dianne Rocheleau, and Diane Russell. Doug Gollin, Sara Tisch, Prabhu
Pingali, Wilfred Mwangi, and Mauricio Bellon all provided useful comments on
various versions of this paper. I also thank David Poland, who edited the publication,
and Eliot Sanchez Pineda for his design work on the cover and layout.

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