Gender issues and the training of agricultural extensionists in Malawi

Riley, Pamela J.

doi:10.1007/bf02218072

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 2 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Mwamakimbula (2014) found that of those who never attended training, 51.7% said it was because they did not get information about the training while 40% did not know when the training events are conducted. The results of this study showed no significant difference in access to formal education or training events between men and women which contrasted with other recent reports (Mtega, Ngoepe, & Dube, 2016;Mudege, Mdege, Abidin, & Bhatasara, 2017;Riley, 1995).…”

Section: Table 4 40 Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 98%

Knowledge gaps among smallholder farmers hinder adoption of conservation biological control

Mkenda

Ndakidemi

Stevenson

et al. 2020

Biocontrol Science and Technology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Conservation biological control uses habitat management to enhance the survival and impact of arthropod natural enemies for pest control. Its advantages are that it relies on native or established invertebrate populations that are adapted to local agricultural ecosystems and conditions. We surveyed 300 farmers in three agro-ecological zones of Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania to assess farmers' knowledge of natural enemies, insect pests and pesticide use and ways of accessing agricultural information to identify hurdles to the adoption of conservation biological control measures. Data were collected through face to face interviews using questionnaires and pictures and by using a novel voiceresponse mobile phone survey. The farmers surveyed regarded almost all insects as pests, with data analyses revealing that 98.7% of farmers were completely unaware of natural enemies. After completing a short training course, however, awareness was transformed, with 80% of farmers recognising beneficial insects and expressing an intention to change farming practices to enhance their survival within the crop. Access to information about synthetic pesticide alternatives was a limiting factor to uptake of biological control measures with 8.7% of farmers reporting no access to agricultural information, while others were mostly dependent on agricultural officers. These findings identified a severe lack of knowledge among smallholder farmers about beneficial insects which will impact adoption of conservation biological control. We recommend improved access to information and knowledge among the technical officers and the smallholder farmers with direct training on agro-ecological intensification for wider adoption of conservation biological control.

show abstract

Section: Table 4 40 Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 98%

Knowledge gaps among smallholder farmers hinder adoption of conservation biological control

Mkenda

Ndakidemi

Stevenson

et al. 2020

Biocontrol Science and Technology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…General explanations include overuse of land due to high population growth, limited access to improved inputs, and dependence on rainfed agriculture (Babu and Sanyal 2007;Benson 2015). Additionally, some research in Malawi indicates that gender differences in access to resources and services lead to gender gaps in technology adoption and agricultural productivity (Fisher and Kandiwa 2014) and contribute to food insecurity in the country (Riley 1995;Takane 2009;Kilic, Palacios-Lopez, and Goldstein 2013;Snapp and Fisher 2015). Moreover, few studies show that extension services are mostly provided to male heads, who often do not work with female household members, and also tend to overlook the fact that women have "different roles, resources, constraints and responsibilities" (Riley 1995, 31).…”

Section: Gender Gaps and Food Security In Malawimentioning

confidence: 99%

Does providing agricultural and nutrition information to both men and women improve household food security? Evidence from Malawi

Ragasa

Aberman²,

Mingote

2019

Global Food Security

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…These subsidies, however, worked within a dual agricultural system which largely benefi tted large-scale tobacco estate owners, while agricultural marketing prices set by the government ensured that smallholder farmers received inadequate prices for their crops (Kydd and Christiansen, 1982). Better-off male smallholder farmers also had consistently better access to credit, inputs and extension programmes compared to female and poor smallholder farmers (Riley, 1995).…”

Section: Environmental Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lessons from the old Green Revolution for the new: Social, environmental and nutritional issues for agricultural change in Africa

Kerr

2012

Progress in Development Studies

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Recent efforts for an ‘Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa’ (AGRA) promote fertilizer, hybrid seeds, pesticides and biotechnology to increase agricultural production. This article examines the original Green Revolution to understand potential effects of a recent promotion of related technologies in Africa. Using a case study of Malawi, the implications of promoting high-input, intensive agriculture on food security, social relations and nutrition are considered. I argue that unless social inequalities and environmental concerns are taken into account, these technologies will intensify inequalities, increase environmental degradation and exacerbate malnutrition for the rural majority, while benefitting the urban poor, larger-scale farmers, agro-input dealers and transnational corporations involved in agribusiness.

show abstract

Gender issues and the training of agricultural extensionists in Malawi

Cited by 4 publications

References 2 publications

Knowledge gaps among smallholder farmers hinder adoption of conservation biological control

Knowledge gaps among smallholder farmers hinder adoption of conservation biological control

Does providing agricultural and nutrition information to both men and women improve household food security? Evidence from Malawi

Lessons from the old Green Revolution for the new: Social, environmental and nutritional issues for agricultural change in Africa

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About