A new study examining the benefits of seed production by good farmers suggests that women need more support to participate in contract farming.
CABI-led research — trying to evaluate the benefits of good things Farmer seed Tanzania’s Good Seed Initiative Case Study Production — Approximately 70% of the labor to grow African indigenous vegetables (AIV) Woman Only 10-30% of contract farmers own fields, make sales decisions and manage their income.
A paper published in a journal led by Dr. Monica Kansime Agriculture and food security, Claims that adopting a gender-inclusive approach to contract farming arrangements is a “top priority” and has multiple benefits, including shared decision-making between men and women.
High quality seeds are the key to growth Crop production, Nutrition and health, Small farmer In Tanzania, access to affordable, high-quality seeds is limited. Over 90% of the seeds sown have been preserved by farmers since previous harvests, but their quality is often poor.
The Good Seed Initiative, implemented between 2013 and 2016, sought to enhance access to high quality AIV seeds by promoting farmers’ seed production using two models: contract farming and Quality Declared Seed (QDS). did.
The program has reached more than one million consumers and producers through radio programs, seed gatherings, nutrition support activities, cooking shows, agricultural shows and events. A policy brief on the production and sale of quality-guaranteed AIV seeds was also created and distributed to Tanzania officials.
Dr. Kansime’s latest study in Arusha and Dodoma assesses the sustainability factors of post-GSI projects, investigates the possibility of replicating this approach elsewhere, and males and females in the generation of AIV. I also found that there is a big difference in the role that.
“Under both models, farmers’ seed production continues to thrive, paving the way for income diversification and contributing more than 50% to household income,” said Dr. Kansime. We found that there is a gap between the roles that men and women play in the production of AIV.
“QDS seed production is challenged by the lack of access to basic seeds, inspections, and seed inspection services that are key to high quality seed production, but another challenge is the apparent” congestion “of women in seed production. is. For example, in Tanzania and Kenya, less than 10% of women participate in contract cultivation of fruits and vegetables. “
“QDS seed production is challenged by the lack of access to basic seeds, inspections, and seed inspection services that are key to high quality seed production, but another challenge is clear for women along the AIV value chain. It is “crowded”. Not only in Tanzania, but also in Kenya, for example, less than 10% of women participate in contract cultivation of fruits and vegetables. “
Research shows that new farmers entering seed production are primarily men in the north and are afraid that women will be eliminated along the AIV value chain as AIV companies benefit. ..
Co-author Dr. Danny Romney paper, “Adopting a gender-inclusive approach in the world Contract Agricultural arrangements are paramount and can bring multiple benefits, including decisions from such arrangements and the interests of both men and women. ”