Gender and access to complex and gender-biased agricultural technology information and knowledge: Evidence from smart-valleys in West Africa

Abstract

This paper identifies some ways to effectively transfer complex and gender-biased technology information and knowledge (TIK) to both men and women by analyzing the diffusion of Smart-valleys technology in West-Africa. ANOVA and Fisher's exact tests were applied to data collected from 1120 lowland rice farmers in West Africa. Results confirm the general gender inequality in TIK communication with male farmers having more access to Smart-valleys TIK than female lowland farmers. Only few female communicators were used in Smart-valleys TIK transfer even if they were found to be as efficient as men at communicating and teaching. However, opposite results obtained in Togo in particular reveal that it is possible to ensure gender equality in agricultural TIK communication, even in case of complex and gender-bias technologies, if specific gender mainstreaming and gender equity actions are undertaken during technology diffusion. Women-to-women communication improved female farmers access to Smart-valleys TIK confirming that involving female communicators will reduce gender inequality in TIK diffusion. On-farm demonstration was identified as the most effective approach, not only in Smart-valleys TIK communication, but also in ensuring gender equity in access of both male and female farmers to the TIK. Therefore, on-farm demonstration combined with oral explanations should be adopted as the main approach in complex and gender-biased technologies diffusion in general, and in Smart-valleys diffusion in particular.

Adoption of ICT4D and its determinants: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Female involvement is suggested to be from technology development to dissemination using their voices and channels to reduce the gender gap in adopting DAT [ 56 ] or by applying systematic gender-inclusive participatory design methodologies [ 73 ]. These findings align with those of Kinkingninhoun Medagbe et al [ 74 ], who also established gender inequality where men have more access to technology and are more likely to adopt technology information and knowledge in West Africa. The effect sizes of the level of education and income were also positively correlated with adopting DAT.…”