Gender Dynamics in Agricultural Innovation: Insight from Soybean Adoption


Authors : Dr. Yssouf Camara

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 1 - January


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/5f9wva83

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/bdf8szxf

DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14651284


Abstract : We found that gender relations significantly determine the use of innovation as well as the level of change in farming systems in the Smallholder Farming Systems (SHFs). This paper analyzes the controversies surrounding the gendered nature of technologies for soybean production, especially in terms of how male and female producers gain access to, and utilise, and accrue the benefits of soybean technology. Using cross-sectional data and examples from several successful textile case studies, the paper underscores difficulty in obtaining funding, decision-making, and extension services. Through the study, it was found that women farmers produced more crops but they lacked access to purchase improved soybean seeds, trainings and markets. (Quisumbring & Pandolfelli, 2010; Meinzen-Dick Et Al., 2011). The study demonstrates that gender aspect of soybean farming benefication is gendered by existing socio- cultural and structural factors. But where they are given specific information, gender sensitive capacity building and training, as well as other infrastructure inputs, women farmers show high levels of uptake and productivity (Njuki Etal., 2016; Kassie Et Al., 2015). This paper establishes that there is need to have policies and programmes that redress the above disparities and encourage women participation in innovative agriculture. In as much as this paper looks at the gender and soybean adoption, this work sits within the larger academic narrative on gender in agriculture with a view to address how to tap on the potential that women farmers hold in today’s changing society to embrace sustainable practices. Others are about focusing the gender dimension of agricultural services for extension, supporting formation of women’s groups, and development of market initiatives that will facilitate women in soybean value chains. These interventions present the possibility of nonzero sum, both in a global and intra-generation equity sense, as well as enhanced rural nonfarm income (Doss, 2018; Beuchelt & Badstue, 2013).

Keywords : Gender Dynamic, Soybean Adoption, Agricultural Innovation, Women Farmers, Gender- Sensitive Policies.

References :

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  2. Doss, C. R. (2018). Women And Agricultural Productivity: Reframing The Issues. Development Policy Review, 36(1), 35-50. Https://Doi.Org/10.1111/Dpr.12243
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We found that gender relations significantly determine the use of innovation as well as the level of change in farming systems in the Smallholder Farming Systems (SHFs). This paper analyzes the controversies surrounding the gendered nature of technologies for soybean production, especially in terms of how male and female producers gain access to, and utilise, and accrue the benefits of soybean technology. Using cross-sectional data and examples from several successful textile case studies, the paper underscores difficulty in obtaining funding, decision-making, and extension services. Through the study, it was found that women farmers produced more crops but they lacked access to purchase improved soybean seeds, trainings and markets. (Quisumbring & Pandolfelli, 2010; Meinzen-Dick Et Al., 2011). The study demonstrates that gender aspect of soybean farming benefication is gendered by existing socio- cultural and structural factors. But where they are given specific information, gender sensitive capacity building and training, as well as other infrastructure inputs, women farmers show high levels of uptake and productivity (Njuki Etal., 2016; Kassie Et Al., 2015). This paper establishes that there is need to have policies and programmes that redress the above disparities and encourage women participation in innovative agriculture. In as much as this paper looks at the gender and soybean adoption, this work sits within the larger academic narrative on gender in agriculture with a view to address how to tap on the potential that women farmers hold in today’s changing society to embrace sustainable practices. Others are about focusing the gender dimension of agricultural services for extension, supporting formation of women’s groups, and development of market initiatives that will facilitate women in soybean value chains. These interventions present the possibility of nonzero sum, both in a global and intra-generation equity sense, as well as enhanced rural nonfarm income (Doss, 2018; Beuchelt & Badstue, 2013).

Keywords : Gender Dynamic, Soybean Adoption, Agricultural Innovation, Women Farmers, Gender- Sensitive Policies.

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