FR2.2: Understanding Gender-Specific Constraints to Agricultural Technology Adoption: Evidence from Cassava Farming in Kenya

Female subsistence farmers in developing countries often have lower levels of agricultural productivity than men, partially due to lower adoption rates of agricultural technologies. These lower adoption rates may be due to lack of physical access to new technologies or lack of access to information...

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Main Authors: Trachtman, Carly, Ligon, Ethan, Murigi, Michael, Ng'ang'a, Muthoni
Format: Ponencia
Language:Inglés
Published: International Food Policy Research Institute 2022
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/125641
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author Trachtman, Carly
Ligon, Ethan
Murigi, Michael
Ng'ang'a, Muthoni
author_browse Ligon, Ethan
Murigi, Michael
Ng'ang'a, Muthoni
Trachtman, Carly
author_facet Trachtman, Carly
Ligon, Ethan
Murigi, Michael
Ng'ang'a, Muthoni
author_sort Trachtman, Carly
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Female subsistence farmers in developing countries often have lower levels of agricultural productivity than men, partially due to lower adoption rates of agricultural technologies. These lower adoption rates may be due to lack of physical access to new technologies or lack of access to information about new technologies, among other explanations. In this study, we consider these two classes of explanations of low technology use among females, and test the relative impacts of interventions designed to combat each. Specifically, we consider adoption of a climate-resistant, early maturing cassava variety by female farmers. Using a randomized control trial with a 2x2 matrix treatment design, we plan to test the effects on cassava adoption by female farmers of two interventions: delivering cassava seeds to female farmers at their homes (improved access), and hiring female "lead farmers," to diffuse information about cassava seeds (improved information access). Results from a small pilot in 6 villages suggest that 1) male lead farmers are less likely than female lead farmers to train female household members during a household visit (despite all lead farmers being explicitly instructed to train females), and 2) female farmers almost unanimously prefer receiving training from a female lead farmer. Pilot results also provide insights on ways that the treatments can be improved, such as lead farmers providing follow-up training visits. These preliminary findings support the viability and importance of employing female trainers in teaching female farmers about new agricultural technologies.
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publishDate 2022
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spelling CGSpace1256412025-11-06T07:33:06Z FR2.2: Understanding Gender-Specific Constraints to Agricultural Technology Adoption: Evidence from Cassava Farming in Kenya Trachtman, Carly Ligon, Ethan Murigi, Michael Ng'ang'a, Muthoni gender agriculture Female subsistence farmers in developing countries often have lower levels of agricultural productivity than men, partially due to lower adoption rates of agricultural technologies. These lower adoption rates may be due to lack of physical access to new technologies or lack of access to information about new technologies, among other explanations. In this study, we consider these two classes of explanations of low technology use among females, and test the relative impacts of interventions designed to combat each. Specifically, we consider adoption of a climate-resistant, early maturing cassava variety by female farmers. Using a randomized control trial with a 2x2 matrix treatment design, we plan to test the effects on cassava adoption by female farmers of two interventions: delivering cassava seeds to female farmers at their homes (improved access), and hiring female "lead farmers," to diffuse information about cassava seeds (improved information access). Results from a small pilot in 6 villages suggest that 1) male lead farmers are less likely than female lead farmers to train female household members during a household visit (despite all lead farmers being explicitly instructed to train females), and 2) female farmers almost unanimously prefer receiving training from a female lead farmer. Pilot results also provide insights on ways that the treatments can be improved, such as lead farmers providing follow-up training visits. These preliminary findings support the viability and importance of employing female trainers in teaching female farmers about new agricultural technologies. 2022-10 2022-11-23T06:52:14Z 2022-11-23T06:52:14Z Presentation https://hdl.handle.net/10568/125641 en Open Access application/pdf International Food Policy Research Institute Trachtman, Carly; Ligon, Ethan; Murigi, Michael; Ng'ang'a, Muthoni. 2022. Understanding Gender-Specific Constraints to Agricultural Technology Adoption: Evidence from Cassava Farming in Kenya. Presented a the CGIAR GENDER Science Exchange, Nairobi, 12-14 October 2022. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/125641
spellingShingle gender
agriculture
Trachtman, Carly
Ligon, Ethan
Murigi, Michael
Ng'ang'a, Muthoni
FR2.2: Understanding Gender-Specific Constraints to Agricultural Technology Adoption: Evidence from Cassava Farming in Kenya
title FR2.2: Understanding Gender-Specific Constraints to Agricultural Technology Adoption: Evidence from Cassava Farming in Kenya
title_full FR2.2: Understanding Gender-Specific Constraints to Agricultural Technology Adoption: Evidence from Cassava Farming in Kenya
title_fullStr FR2.2: Understanding Gender-Specific Constraints to Agricultural Technology Adoption: Evidence from Cassava Farming in Kenya
title_full_unstemmed FR2.2: Understanding Gender-Specific Constraints to Agricultural Technology Adoption: Evidence from Cassava Farming in Kenya
title_short FR2.2: Understanding Gender-Specific Constraints to Agricultural Technology Adoption: Evidence from Cassava Farming in Kenya
title_sort fr2 2 understanding gender specific constraints to agricultural technology adoption evidence from cassava farming in kenya
topic gender
agriculture
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/125641
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AT murigimichael fr22understandinggenderspecificconstraintstoagriculturaltechnologyadoptionevidencefromcassavafarminginkenya
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