UNLEASHING GENDER EQUALITY AND ACCESS TO KNOWLEDGE AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS: RETHINKING IMPLICATION TO POVERTY REDUCTIONS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47604/ijgs.1187Abstract views: 159
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Keywords:
Gender, Access to Knowledge, Smallholder Farmers, Poverty Reduction, Agricultural Information.Abstract
Purpose: The aim of the study is to examine gender equality in accessing knowledge among smallholder farmers with a focus on poverty reductions strategies.
Methodology: This paper draws from the theoretical and empirical literature review of studies on smallholder farmers on access to agricultural knowledge through collection of secondary data and reviewing information that has been gathered from various studies and reports in research and academic institutions, as well as from internet sources in and outside Tanzania.
Findings: The study found the missing link in poverty reduction strategies, thus there is a need to strengthen the strategies and the agriculture policy. The study also, found that women have less access to agricultural knowledge than men due to cultural barriers, low level of literacy, poverty, and lack of ownership of resources such as land and income for sustainability and security.
Unique contribution to theory and policy/recommendation): The focus and outcomes regarding gender equality in relation to access to agricultural information suggests the need for more refined and socioeconomic models that cuts across gender and other social dimension beyond other factors of culture, education etc. This study recommends that there is a need to rethink of the implications to poverty reduction strategies during preparation of the strategies in order to increase accessibility of knowledge among smallholder farmers, especially women. Hence, this study will contribute to theory and policy to enable smallholder farmers to increase productivity and income especially to women.
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References
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Agu, M.N. (2013). Application of ICT in Agricultural Sector: Women’s Perspective,
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Lwoga, E. (2010) Application of Knowledge Management Approaches and Information and Communication Technologies to Manage Indigenous Knowledge in the Agricultural Sector in Selected Districts of Tanzania University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: Doctoral dissertation.
Lwoga, E. T. and Ngulube, P. 2008. Managing indigenous and exogenous knowledge through information and communication technologies for agricultural development and achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals. In Njobvu, B. & Koopman, S. (Eds). Libraries and information services towards the attainment of the UN Millennium Development Goals (pp. 73-88). Berlin: Walter de Gruyter.
Magesa, M. M., Michael, K., & Ko, J. (2014). Access to agricultural market information by rural farmers in Tanzania. International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Research, 4, pp. 264– 273.
May, J. (2012). Digital and Other Poverties: Exploring the connection in four East African countries. Inf. Technol. Int. Dev., 8, 33–50.
Matovelo, D. S., Msuya, J. & de Smet E. 2006. Towards developing proactive information acquisition practices among smallholder farmers for empowerment and poverty reduction: a situation analysis. International Association of Agricultural Information Specialists (IAALD) Quarterly Bulletin, 51, 3-4.
Mosia, L. N. & Ngulube, P. 2005. Managing the collective intelligence of local communities for the sustainable utilisation of estuaries in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. South African Journal of Library and Information Science, 71, 2, pp. 175-18.
Mosia, L. N. & Ngulube, P. 2005. Managing the collective intelligence of local communities for the sustainable utilisation of estuaries in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. South African Journal of Library and Information Science, 71, 2, pp. 175-186.
Mtega, W.P. and Msungu, A.C. (2013) Using Information and Communication Technologies for Enhancing the Accessibility of Agricultural Information for Improved Agricultural Production in Tanzania, The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, 56, 1, 1-14.
Shao, F.M. (2007) Analysis of the Agricultural Technologies Development and Dissemination Situation in Tanzania. SADC Multi-country Agricultural Productivity Programme. http://www.sadc.int/fanr/agricresearch/mapp/workshops/Tanzania%20workshop%20report.pdf
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Otekunrin, O. A., Momoh, S., & Ayinde, I. A. (2019). Smallholder farmers' market participation: Concepts and methodological approach from sub‐Saharan Africa. Current Agriculture Research Journal, 7(2), pp. 139– 157.
Quisumbing, A.R. & Pandolfelli, L. (2010). Promising approaches to address the needs of poor female farmers: resources, constraints, and interventions. World Development, 38, pp. 581–592
Roy, M., (2012), Agricultural Marketing: New Challenges, International Journal of Humanities and Applied Sciences, vol. 1, pp. 54-57.
Sife, A.S., Kiondo, E. & Lyimo-Macha, J.G., (2010). Contribution of mobile phones to rural livelihoods and poverty reduction in Morogoro region, Tanzania, Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries 42(3), pp. 1–15.
Siyao, P.O., 2012, Barriers in accessing agricultural information in Tanzania with a Gender perspective: The case study of small-scale sugar cane growers in Kilombero district, Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries 51(6), pp. 1–19.
Sousa, F.; Nicolay, G.; Home, R. Information technologies as a tool for agriculture extension and farmer-to-farmer exchange: Mobile-phone video use in Mali and Burkina Faso. Int. J. Educ. Dev. Using Inf. Commun. Technol. 2016, 12, pp.19–36
Steiner, L. (2014). Sandra Harding: the less false accounts of feminist standpoint epistemology, in Hannan, Jason (ed.), Philosophical profiles in the theory of communication, New York: Peter Lang, pp. 261–289, ISBN 9781433126345.
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URT. (2008). Agricultural marketing policy. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Ministry of Industry, Trade and Marketing.
World Bank and Malawi. (2007). Malawi poverty and vulnerability assessment (PVA): Investing in our future. Synthesis report: Main findings and recommendations. Poverty Reduction and Economic Management 1, Report 36546-MW, Washington, D.C.: World Bank
World Bank, and IFPRI. (2010). Gender and Governance in Rural Services: Insights from India, Ghana, and Ethiopia. Washington, D.C.: The World Bank; International Food Policy Research Institute.
World Bank, and The ONE Campaign. (2014). “Levelling the Field: Improving Opportunities for Women Farmers in Africa.” Washington, D.C.: World Bank.
Adomi, E. E., Ogbomo, M. O. & Inoni, O. E. (2003). Gender factor in crop farmers’ access to agricultural information in rural areas of Delta State, Nigeria. Library Review, 52, 8, pp. 388- 393.
Agu, M.N. (2013). Application of ICT in Agricultural Sector: Women’s Perspective,
International Journal of Soft Computing and Engineering 2, 6, pp.58-60.
Benard, R., Dulle, F. & Ngalapa, H. (2014). Assessment of information needs of rice farmers in Tanzania; A case study of Kilombero District, Morogoro, Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal), pp. 1–34, viewed 30 July 2020, from http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2666&context=libphilprac
Burt, R.S. (2004). Structural holes and good ideas. Am. J. Sociology, 110, pp. 349–399.
Castella, J., Slaats, J., Quang, D. D., Geay, F., Van Linh, N. & Tho, P. T. H. (2006). Connecting marginal rice farmers to agricultural knowledge and information systems in Vietnam Uplands. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 12, 2, pp. 109–125. Retrieved November 1, 2020 from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13892240600861625
Conroy, C., Sparks, N., Chandrasekaran, D., Shindey, A. D., Singh, L. R., Natarajan, A. & Anitha, K. (2004). Understanding livestock keepers’ agricultural knowledge and information systems: a case study from India. The International Workshop on Enhancing the Contribution of Small Livestock to the Livelihoods of Resource-Poor Communities, Masaka, Uganda, 15– 19 November 2004. Retrieved August 13, 2020 from: http://www.smallstock.info/research/reports/R7633/R7633-masaka2.pdf
Davis, K., E. Nkonya, D. Ayalew, E. Kato, M. Odendo, R. Miiro, and J. Nkuba. (2010). Impact of East Africa. IFPRA Discussion Paper. Washington, D.C.: International Food Policy Research Institute.
Doss, & Morris (2001). How does gender affect the adoption of agricultural innovations? The case of improved maize technology in Ghana. Agricultural Economics, 25, pp. 27–39.
Enete, A. A., (2009), Middlemen and smallholder farmers in cassava marketing in Africa, Tropicultura, vol. 27, pp.40-44.
Fletschner (2008). Women’s access to credit: Does it matter for household efficiency? American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 90, pp.669–683.
Harding, S., Hintikka, M., & Merrill B. (2004). Introduction, in Harding S., Hintikka, M., & Merrill B. (eds.), The feminist standpoint theory reader: intellectual and political controversies, New York: Routledge, pp. 1–16, ISBN 9780415945011
Ismail, I. J., Srinivas, M., & Tundui, H. (2015). Transaction costs and market participation decisions of maize small holder farmers in Dodoma region, Tanzania. Global Journal of Biology Agriculture and Health Sciences, 4(2), pp.12– 20.
IFPRI. (2004). Knowledge and Finance for Education in Sub-Saharan Africa. London. Bingley.
Katuli F. K. 2017. Assessment on Determinants of Gender Biases in Rural Agricultural Employment in Sub-Saharan African: Literature Review. Researchjournali's. Journal of Sociology. India. Vol. 5/No. 4 June/2017. ISSN 2347-8241. pp.1-13
Keys, E., (2005), Exploring Market-Based Development: Market Intermediaries and Farmers in Calakmul, Mexico, American Geographical Society, vol. 95, pp. 24-46.
Komwihangilo, D.M., Urassa, N.S. Masao, D.F., Kasiga, R.and Kabungo, C. (2010) Essence of Strong Links between Research and Extension: The Case of Mpwapwa Cattle Introduced in Chunya District, Tanzania. In: Kimaro W.H, Mukandiwa, L. and Mario E.Z.J. (Eds.) Towards Improving Agricultural Extension Service Delivery in the SADC Region Proceedings of the Workshop on Information Sharing among Extension Players in the SADC Region.pp. 105–113. http://www.sadc.int/ fanr/agricresearch/icart/inforesources/ImprovingExtension.pdf.
Larsen, G.D. (2011). Understanding the early stages of the innovation diffusion process: Awareness, influence, and communication networks. Constr. Manag., 29, pp.987–1002.
Lwoga, E. T. and Ngulube, P. 2008. Managing indigenous and exogenous knowledg through information and communication technologies for agricultural development and achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals. In Njobvu, B. & Koopman, S. (Eds). Libraries and information services towards the attainment of the UN Millennium Development Goals (pp. 73-88). Berlin: Walter de Gruyter.
Lwoga, E.T., Ngulube, P., & Stilwell, C., 2011. Access and use of agricultural information and knowledge in Tanzania. Library Review 60(5): pp. 385- 395. http://www.emeraldinsight.com/
Lwoga, E. (2010) Application of Knowledge Management Approaches and Information and Communication Technologies to Manage Indigenous Knowledge in the Agricultural Sector in Selected Districts of Tanzania University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: Doctoral dissertation.
Lwoga, E. T. and Ngulube, P. 2008. Managing indigenous and exogenous knowledge through information and communication technologies for agricultural development and achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals. In Njobvu, B. & Koopman, S. (Eds). Libraries and information services towards the attainment of the UN Millennium Development Goals (pp. 73-88). Berlin: Walter de Gruyter.
Magesa, M. M., Michael, K., & Ko, J. (2014). Access to agricultural market information by rural farmers in Tanzania. International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Research, 4, pp. 264– 273.
May, J. (2012). Digital and Other Poverties: Exploring the connection in four East African countries. Inf. Technol. Int. Dev., 8, 33–50.
Matovelo, D. S., Msuya, J. & de Smet E. 2006. Towards developing proactive information acquisition practices among smallholder farmers for empowerment and poverty reduction: a situation analysis. International Association of Agricultural Information Specialists (IAALD) Quarterly Bulletin, 51, 3-4.
Mosia, L. N. & Ngulube, P. 2005. Managing the collective intelligence of local communities for the sustainable utilisation of estuaries in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. South African Journal of Library and Information Science, 71, 2, pp. 175-18.
Mosia, L. N. & Ngulube, P. 2005. Managing the collective intelligence of local communities for the sustainable utilisation of estuaries in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. South African Journal of Library and Information Science, 71, 2, pp. 175-186.
Mtega, W.P. and Msungu, A.C. (2013) Using Information and Communication Technologies for Enhancing the Accessibility of Agricultural Information for Improved Agricultural Production in Tanzania, The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, 56, 1, 1-14.
Shao, F.M. (2007) Analysis of the Agricultural Technologies Development and Dissemination Situation in Tanzania. SADC Multi-country Agricultural Productivity Programme. http://www.sadc.int/fanr/agricresearch/mapp/workshops/Tanzania%20workshop%20report.pdf
United Republic of Tanzania (URT) (2008) Agricultural Sector Reforms in Tanzania: Perspectives from Within. Tanzania, Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Cooperatives. Government Printers, Dar Es Salaam.
United Republic of Tanzania (URT) (2013) National Agriculture Policy, Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Cooperatives Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania October http://www.faoilo.org/fileadmin/user_upload/fao_ilo/pdf/ICA_MLW_and_TZ/NATI
ONAL_AGRICULTURAL_POLICY-2013.pdf. United States Agency for International Development.
Otekunrin, O. A., Momoh, S., & Ayinde, I. A. (2019). Smallholder farmers' market participation: Concepts and methodological approach from sub‐Saharan Africa. Current Agriculture Research Journal, 7(2), pp. 139– 157.
Quisumbing, A.R. & Pandolfelli, L. (2010). Promising approaches to address the needs of poor female farmers: resources, constraints, and interventions. World Development, 38, pp. 581–592
Roy, M., (2012), Agricultural Marketing: New Challenges, International Journal of Humanities and Applied Sciences, vol. 1, pp. 54-57.
Sife, A.S., Kiondo, E. & Lyimo-Macha, J.G., (2010). Contribution of mobile phones to rural livelihoods and poverty reduction in Morogoro region, Tanzania, Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries 42(3), pp. 1–15.
Siyao, P.O., 2012, Barriers in accessing agricultural information in Tanzania with a Gender perspective: The case study of small-scale sugar cane growers in Kilombero district, Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries 51(6), pp. 1–19.
Sousa, F.; Nicolay, G.; Home, R. Information technologies as a tool for agriculture extension and farmer-to-farmer exchange: Mobile-phone video use in Mali and Burkina Faso. Int. J. Educ. Dev. Using Inf. Commun. Technol. 2016, 12, pp.19–36
Steiner, L. (2014). Sandra Harding: the less false accounts of feminist standpoint epistemology, in Hannan, Jason (ed.), Philosophical profiles in the theory of communication, New York: Peter Lang, pp. 261–289, ISBN 9781433126345.
United Nations. (2002). Best Practices for Organic Policy. What developing country Governments can do to promote the organic agriculture sector. New York. UNCTAD.
UNDP. (2007). RWANDA Human Development Report, 2007. Turning Vision 2020 into Reality. From Recovery to Sustainable Development. http://hdr.undp.irg/en/reports/nationalreports/africa/rwanda/RWANDA_2007_en.pdf
United Nations Development Programme (2007). Human Development Report, New York
URT. (2008). Agricultural marketing policy. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Ministry of Industry, Trade and Marketing.
World Bank and Malawi. (2007). Malawi poverty and vulnerability assessment (PVA): Investing in our future. Synthesis report: Main findings and recommendations. Poverty Reduction and Economic Management 1, Report 36546-MW, Washington, D.C.: World Bank
World Bank, and IFPRI. (2010). Gender and Governance in Rural Services: Insights from India, Ghana, and Ethiopia. Washington, D.C.: The World Bank; International Food Policy Research Institute.
World Bank, and The ONE Campaign. (2014). “Levelling the Field: Improving Opportunities for Women Farmers in Africa.” Washington, D.C.: World Bank.
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Published
2020-12-31
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Katuli, F. K. (2020). UNLEASHING GENDER EQUALITY AND ACCESS TO KNOWLEDGE AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS: RETHINKING IMPLICATION TO POVERTY REDUCTIONS. International Journal of Gender Studies, 5(1), 29 – 43. https://doi.org/10.47604/ijgs.1187
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