Examining factors that influence adoption of agricultural technology by men and women: the case of potato

EXAMINING FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE ADOPTION OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY BY MEN AND WOMEN: THE CASE OF POTATO

by Claudia Babini | October 17, 2017

Closing gender gaps in the agricultural sector is a key element in reducing poverty and improving food security. Women today are the hidden face of agriculture, playing a fundamental role from food production to commercialization, and yet not only do they not have the same access to resources and technological innovations, but often the technologies are not designed considering women’s needs and conditions.

The hidden face of agriculture, women play a core role from production to commercialization. Photo: CIP

The Latin American gender team of the International Potato Center (CIP) conducted a study to investigate the factors that influence the adoption of agricultural technology by men and women in the Andean region, whose agricultural systems are based on potato production. The main objective of the study was to generate recommendations that can inform the design and development of gender sensitive agricultural technologies. Qualitative information was collected through the implementation of focus group discussions, observation and interviews with technical personnel working directly in CIP’s areas of intervention in the Andean Region (Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru) in the promotion of agricultural technology innovation for food security. The study was carried out with the support of the CGIAR Research Programs on Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB), and on Policy, Institutions, and Markets (PIM).

One important result of the study is that technology itself is not neutral and entails gender biases that can occur when the conditions of the target group (men, women, youth, or other disadvantaged groups) are not considered at different stages. READ FULL STORY>>


This story was originally written by Dr. Claudia Babini, International Potato Center (CIP) for the RTB Blog in celebration of the International Day of Rural Women.