Gender inclusivity through maize breeding in Africa: A review of the issues and options for future engagement

With the prioritization of social inclusion in agricultural development, donors and research centers have shown growing interest in gender-intentional varietal development and delivery. Breeding maize varieties that respond to gender-based differences in trait preferences now represents a central ob...

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Autores principales: Voss, Rachel C., Donovan, Jason, Rutsaert, Pieter, Cairns, Jill
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: SAGE Publications 2021
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/171442
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author Voss, Rachel C.
Donovan, Jason
Rutsaert, Pieter
Cairns, Jill
author_browse Cairns, Jill
Donovan, Jason
Rutsaert, Pieter
Voss, Rachel C.
author_facet Voss, Rachel C.
Donovan, Jason
Rutsaert, Pieter
Cairns, Jill
author_sort Voss, Rachel C.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description With the prioritization of social inclusion in agricultural development, donors and research centers have shown growing interest in gender-intentional varietal development and delivery. Breeding maize varieties that respond to gender-based differences in trait preferences now represents a central objective of maize R&D in the CGIAR and elsewhere. Drawing on literature on gender and maize seed adoption, variety preferences, and seed system constraints, we take stock of knowns and unknowns related to gender-responsive and gender-intentional maize breeding. While recent research on farmers’ variety preferences across crops has yielded insights into gender-based differences, we find that evidence of gender-differentiated preferences for maize varieties remains inconclusive. Ultimately, we identify several research priorities to support gender-intentional maize breeding, including a more nuanced understanding of gender relations in maize production and maize seed decision-making, new and more gender-responsive approaches to measuring farmer preferences and seed demand more broadly, and research to address operational challenges in gender-intentional breeding. We close by identifying some institutional constraints to achieving impact through gender-intentional maize breeding.
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spelling CGSpace1714422025-01-29T12:58:11Z Gender inclusivity through maize breeding in Africa: A review of the issues and options for future engagement Voss, Rachel C. Donovan, Jason Rutsaert, Pieter Cairns, Jill maize gender crops seed farmers plant breeding farmers' attitudes With the prioritization of social inclusion in agricultural development, donors and research centers have shown growing interest in gender-intentional varietal development and delivery. Breeding maize varieties that respond to gender-based differences in trait preferences now represents a central objective of maize R&D in the CGIAR and elsewhere. Drawing on literature on gender and maize seed adoption, variety preferences, and seed system constraints, we take stock of knowns and unknowns related to gender-responsive and gender-intentional maize breeding. While recent research on farmers’ variety preferences across crops has yielded insights into gender-based differences, we find that evidence of gender-differentiated preferences for maize varieties remains inconclusive. Ultimately, we identify several research priorities to support gender-intentional maize breeding, including a more nuanced understanding of gender relations in maize production and maize seed decision-making, new and more gender-responsive approaches to measuring farmer preferences and seed demand more broadly, and research to address operational challenges in gender-intentional breeding. We close by identifying some institutional constraints to achieving impact through gender-intentional maize breeding. 2021-12 2025-01-29T12:58:11Z 2025-01-29T12:58:11Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/171442 en Open Access SAGE Publications Voss, Rachel C.; Donovan, Jason; Rutsaert, Pieter; and Cairns, Jill E. 2021. Gender inclusivity through maize breeding in Africa: A review of the issues and options for future engagement. Outlook on Agriculture 50(4): 392-405. https://doi.org/10.1177/00307270211058208
spellingShingle maize
gender
crops
seed
farmers
plant breeding
farmers' attitudes
Voss, Rachel C.
Donovan, Jason
Rutsaert, Pieter
Cairns, Jill
Gender inclusivity through maize breeding in Africa: A review of the issues and options for future engagement
title Gender inclusivity through maize breeding in Africa: A review of the issues and options for future engagement
title_full Gender inclusivity through maize breeding in Africa: A review of the issues and options for future engagement
title_fullStr Gender inclusivity through maize breeding in Africa: A review of the issues and options for future engagement
title_full_unstemmed Gender inclusivity through maize breeding in Africa: A review of the issues and options for future engagement
title_short Gender inclusivity through maize breeding in Africa: A review of the issues and options for future engagement
title_sort gender inclusivity through maize breeding in africa a review of the issues and options for future engagement
topic maize
gender
crops
seed
farmers
plant breeding
farmers' attitudes
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/171442
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AT rutsaertpieter genderinclusivitythroughmaizebreedinginafricaareviewoftheissuesandoptionsforfutureengagement
AT cairnsjill genderinclusivitythroughmaizebreedinginafricaareviewoftheissuesandoptionsforfutureengagement