A Game-Based Approach to Exploring Gender Differences in Smallholder Decisions to Change Farming Practices: White Rice Production in Laos

Abstract

What influences farmers’ decisions to adopt agricultural technologies is an important question for international agricultural research projects. There are often interpersonal differences between women and men that influence the adoption of decisions and behaviours, but few studies in the literature focus on these factors. We describe a game-based approach to explore decision-making processes underpinning the adoption of new farming technologies and practices in Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Sowing a different rice variety is the tailored technology. The game explored adoption behaviours influencing decisions on transitioning from growing glutinous rice, a traditional variety preferred for consumption, to “white” rice for commercial export to international markets. We conducted separate game-workshops with 36 women and 36 men in 4 villages of southern Laos that were transitioning from subsistence to commercial smallholder production. The gaming exposed various possible behaviours and decisions that women and men considered. Access to resources, both assets and information, was equal for all players, yet women were found to adopt new rice varieties more readily than men and to engage in cooperative behaviours in the game situation. The study highlighted the need for further gender-sensitive research into cooperation among women in the agricultural context—an understanding beneficial for countries and regions undergoing agricultural transition.

The potential for using wood mulch for agricultural production

“…Our survey was not designed to determine why the use of WM varied between the regions. Future work could see if gender, age, education, and size of the farm, all factors that noticeably differed between growers in Barbados and the DC region and are known to influence farming practices (Kuwabara and Ueki, 2016; Sharma, 2016; Larson et al, 2020), influence the likelihood of using soil covers generally and WM specifically. In addition to these factors, expense, availability, and ease of application may be barriers to using WM as these were reported by growers and observed by us during field trials with farmers.…”

Towards Achieving of Long-Term Agriculture Sustainability: a Systematic Review of Asian Farmers’ Modern Technology Farming Behavioural Intention and Adoption’s Key Indicators

“…In this case, even men pose huge opportunity and resources than women, women are faster in adopting modern technology in practices than traditional practices. According to Larson et al, (2020),…”

“…Demographic Women have access to assets and information equally with men, and understand economic benefits of proposed actions, but the result found women are faster adopters of improved technologies and practices than men and they are earn of higher income than men due to women perceived higher collaborations (Larson et. al (2020).…”

Introduction to Special Issue: Gender and Rural Development: Sustainable Livelihoods in a Neoliberal Context

“…Utilizing a game-based approach to decision making, Larson, (Giger)-Dray, Cornioley, Thephavanh, Thammavong, Vorlasan, Connell, Moglia, Case, Alexander, and Perez [2] explore how gender shapes the adoption of new agricultural practices among smallholder farmers in Laos. Women farmers were found to be more willing to adopt new rice varieties as well as cooperate with other women participants.…”