Gender in SARD-SC: Kenya

East -West Africa Lowland Regional Gender Workshop in North Sudan1

http://www.icarda.org/


KENYA MAP SHOWING POTENTIAL WHEAT ZONES

2East -West Africa Lowland Regional Gender Workshop in North Sudan



Introduction

Wheat is the second most importantcereal crop after maize in terms ofproduction and consumption in Kenya.

It contributes significantly to thecountry’s food security and livelihoodsupport.

3East- West Africa Lowland Regional Gender Workshop in North Sudan



Introduction..

80% of the wheat production is by largescale farmers (20%) while small-scalefarmers (80%) produce 20%.

Average annual national production is400,000 tons while consumption is 1million tons.

Per capita wheat consumption isincreasing by 4% per annum.




Why Wheat Seed Production?..

Inadequate access to improved wheatvarieties by small-scale farmers.

Unavailability of quality seed to small-scale farmers leading to use of recycledseeds.

Unavailability of appropriate smallholdermachinery, equipment and implements.

Emerging and spread of new diseases(e.g. stem rust, Ug99) and insect pests.




Understanding Gender




What is Gender?..

• Gender is defined as a social relationship between men and women, that is determined by society

• The relations refer to a complex system through which women and men are socialized

• These relations determine access to power and resources




What is Gender?..

• In nearly all cases, the relationship isunequal in terms of labour, access toand control over resources, benefits andoverall power relations

• Because gender is socially constructed, itvaries within and between cultures and alsoover time

• Since gender relations are constructed sociallyand can be changed over time: We need tolook for systematic approach to reduceexisting gender > equality gaps withinResearch and Society




Why Gender in Wheat Seed Production?..

We need equal opportunities and participation in, and benefit from agricultural production and development initiatives for both women and men, to achieve gender balance

A situation where men and women are seen to be equal, provided with equal opportunities in the society, enjoying equal benefits and are treated the same before the law




Why Gender in Wheat Seed Production?..

It involves identifying and removing constraints that may affect the participation and/or benefit of women and men from the agricultural / development processes.




The Basic Principle

Balance the involvement of females and males in all agricultural related activities or issues

11East West Africa Lowland Regional Gender Workshop in North Sudan



Farmers

Researchers

Information captured at farmer’s level, disaggregated by sex

Methodologies for participatory gender analysis tools and gender disaggregated data…done

Capacity building in conceptual and gender analysis 12East-West Africa Lowland Regional Gender Workshop in North Sudan



Gender Profile in Wheat seed value chains

Participation in the wheat valuechains is gendered in regard to:

• Who produces what wheat?

• Who does what role along the wheat value chain?

• Who has access to and control over the resources?

• Who has access to and control over benefits?

• Who makes what decisions?13East -West Africa Lowland Regional Gender Workshop in North Sudan



Small Scale Gender Differentiation Roles in Wheat Production in Kenya

Female Farmers Male Farmers

Weed weeds

Fetch water for spraying

Cut by hand- Sickle

Thresh by hand

Winnow

Dress (Post-harvest)

Spray Chemicals

Carry dressed seed to store

Market

East -West Africa Lowland Regional Gender Workshop in North Sudan 14



Gender Statistics in Wheat Seed Production

90%

10%




Differentiated Gender Groups within 3 Districts


Buuri DistrictKieni West

DistrictNyandarua

District

All Women 3 0 0

All Men 0 1 0

Mixed Groups 2 3 3

3

0 00

1

0

2

3 3

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5




Engendered Graphical Statistics by Districts of Small Scale Wheat Farmer Groups

Buuri DistrictKieni West

DistrictNyandarua

Central Distrcit

Female 200 11 15

Male 40 60 24

0

50

100

150

200

250

Note: In Buuri District, female farmers were more in groups than male farmers. This was because they had started the groups to feed their families hence progressed to being business groups.



Success Story – Toa JashoWomen SHG

The group planted 13 acres ofwheat seed in July 2013.

Harvested 260 bag/90kg

Sold 180 bags from 9 acres.

Kept 80 bags/90 for nextseason.

The group earned Kshs. 885,000from the seed sales.

Group members received Kshs.20,000 each from the sales.




Success Story – Farmers SHG

The farmers bought dairy cow, sheep and renovated zero grazing unit.

They increased acreage from 13 acres (5.2 Ha) in 2013 to 49 acres (19.6 Ha) in 2014.




Cross Cutting Issues

Gender mainstreaming - groupsinvolved in wheat seed production arerequired to have at least 30% of eithergender. In capacity building it is ensuredthat both gender are represented.

Environmental issues – Farmerssensitized on good agriculturalpractices, soil and water management.




Cross Cutting Issues..

Farmer groups trained on safe andeffective use of pesticides includingprotective gears and safe disposal ofcontainers.

Child labor - farmer groups sensitized onhiring labor from adults above 18 years ofage.

Risk misuse of resources i.e. Wereencouraged each to open Bank Accountsfor their safe keeping of money




Achievements

Potential for increased wheat productivityin project areas (1.8 to 3.5 tons perhectare) through dissemination ofimproved varieties, crop managementpractices and seed production.

Increased demand for improved wheatseed in the project areas mostly womenadoption.

Strong collaboration and linkagesamongst wheat stakeholders (farmers,MOALF, KALRO, KEPHIS, Agro-dealers).




Way Forward

…are we walking the GENDER talk?!23East -West Africa Lowland Regional Gender Workshop in North Sudan



Gender in SARD-SC: Kenya

Environment

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