Developing Agricultural Extension for Women Farmers

Despite rapid advances in agricultural technology and heavy expenditures by governments and donors on agricultural extension, as much as a fifth of mankind - almost all in developing countries - still goes hungry. Extension programs can increase agricultural productivity and rural incomes by bridging the gap between new technical knowledge and a farmer's practices, but research and extension services usually assume that farmers are men. In fact, women play a critical role in a wide range of agricultural activities, and as men move into off-farm employment, women's importance to agriculture is growing. The specific needs and problems of women farmers must be addressed in the design and implementation of agricultural projects. This paper provides an overview of women farmers and their production systems, presents a framework for analysis of gender issues, suggests interventions and project components, and sets out guidelines for designing and modifying agricultural service projects.