CGIAR GENDER Platform annual conference 2023

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/132357

From Research to Impact: Towards just and resilient agri-food systems, New Delhi, India, 9-12 October 2023.

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Advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in agri-food systems: Research-based recommendations
(Conference Proceedings, 2024-12-30) CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform; Indian Council for Agricultural Research
Midway to the endpoint of Agenda 2030, ambitions of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls (Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5) remain a distant reality. The polycrises of COVID-19, climate and conflict have not only halted but also, in many contexts, reversed progress towards gender equality. Unequal gender and social relations undermine the mitigation of and responses to these and future crises in agri-food systems, and hinder the resilience of rural people and landscapes. The Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) report The status of women in agri-food systems (2023) estimates that closing the gender gap in farm productivity and the wage gap would increase global GDP by 1%, reducing global food insecurity by about 2%, and the number of food- insecure people by about 45 million. Yet current estimates indicate that at the current rate of progress, it will take nearly 300 years to achieve gender equality globally. In South Asia, more than 71% of working women are engaged in agri-food systems, many of them in informal settings. Women produce between 68–80% of the food in most developing countries and are responsible for half the world’s food production. Despite their crucial role and significance in agri-food systems, women’s contributions remain invisible. They continue to face structural inequalities, such as a lack of access to and control over land and other productive resources; limited access to information, capacity building, and credit; and restrictive social norms, including heavy care responsibilities. From 9–12 October 2023, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) partnered with the CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform to convene an international research conference “From research to impact: Towards just and resilient agri-food systems”. The conference, held in New Delhi, promoted the sharing of cutting-edge knowledge on gender and inclusion in agri-food systems to help bridge the gap between research and practice and foster gender-equal and socially inclusive and resilient food systems. The event brought together thought leaders from renowned academic and research institutes, National Agricultural Research and Education Systems (NARES), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), donors, policymakers and the private sector from 52 countries to deliberate on innovations and solutions that can contribute to achieving just and resilient agri-food systems.
Women's empowerment to gender transformative change in agri-food systems in Fiji
(Poster, 2023-10-10) Nath, Radhisha Shivnal; Alam, Mumtaz
The article takes a look at how gender transition might help advance women's empowerment within the context of Fiji's agri-food systems. Women's contributions to agriculture and food systems have always been vital, but structural inequalities have kept them from reaching their full potential. Recent efforts to improve women's empowerment in agri-food systems have mostly focused on expanding women's access to resources, markets, and knowledge. Unfortunately, these efforts have not done enough to tackle the root causes of gender inequality in agri-food systems. A 'gender transformative' approach, on the other hand, seeks to shift the underlying social norms, power relations, and institutional arrangements that sustain gender inequality. This article proposes that a gender transformative approach is necessary for Fiji to achieve sustainable and equitable agri-food systems. Using case studies from Fiji and elsewhere, this research highlights the potential benefits of a gender transformative strategy, such as increased productivity, better nutrition, and greater social inclusion. However, it acknowledges the challenges and complications of putting such a policy into effect, particularly in the face of cultural and economic hurdles. In order for Fiji to attain true gender equality and sustainable development in its agri-food systems, a gender transformative strategy is necessary, as argued in this article. It will take cooperation from government officials, nonprofits, and businesses for this to come to fruition. At the article's conclusion, suggestions are made for enacting a gender transformative strategy in agri-food systems, both in Fiji and worldwide.
"From plot to people": A pilot photovoice exploration of the livelihood strategies that farmers use to benefit from the time and financial benefits zero tillage adoption in South Asia
(Poster, 2023-10-10) Brown, Brendan; Sharma, Akriti; Karki, Emma; Chaudhary, Anjana
Over the last decade in India, farmer producer organizations (FPOs) have emerged as a means of collectivizing smallholder farmers and providing them access to extension, innovation, and market services. FPOs that center women farmers, traditionally at a disadvantage vis-a-vis their male counterparts in access to resources and extension, can serve to enhance women's agency and collective action in agricultural value chains. We used 59 key informant interviews and nine focus group discussions to examine the constraints to, and facilitators of, women's and men's participation in three women-only FPOs in Jharkhand, an eastern Indian state. The FPO intervention we evaluated provided members with both agricultural and gender-based inputs to improve agronomic practices, market linkages, agricultural yields and profits, and the role of women both within the FPO and within their households and communities. We provided contextual insights on 'what works' to empower women in this context. Women's perceptions of the benefits from FPO membership were heterogeneous. Our qualitative analysis suggests a nuanced picture of women's autonomy and decision-making within and outside their household, further shaped by women's and men's perception of shifts in women's access to resources and services. The emerging lessons provide inputs for development implementers and policymakers to recognize diverse contextual barriers in designing FPO interventions to enable and enhance women empowerment outcomes. The research also contributes to the body of knowledge on local gender norms and understanding of empowerment.
Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture
(Presentation, 2023-10-11) McGuire, Erin J.
Assessing gender gaps among women street vendors and hawkers: A study of women as stakeholders of agri-food systems of India
(Poster, 2023-10-10) Sailaja Bharatam, Sal; Nambiar, Sridip S.; Kumar, Abhijeet
Agency will (government support) plays a crucial role in achieving palpable results toward gender justice through empowerment. Women street hawkers and vendors selling greens, flowers, meat and fish in urban and rural areas take a vital place in the agri-food systems. These small day-to-day businesswomen play a major role in bringing in the produce to markets for sale. Understanding their impact on the ecosystem of the respective supply chains will enable future research on the positioning and impact of these vendors and hawkers in the ecosystem. In our work, we sought to understand three aspects of women street vendors and hawkers: (a) The time invested and the gains they receive on a day-to-day basis. What is their present status of technology usage in terms of phones, smart phones, and digital payments? What are the pros and cons of digital transformation in their lives? What aspirations they hold for the future and upgrade of technological help for further improvement to their lives? (b) What alternatives are available and what are the opportunity costs involved if they are moving out of their routine? What is their awareness of saving and support systems they have for a rainy day? (c) What is their awareness of and aspirations for governmental intervention in their lives? The work will collect 20 plus personal interviews of both men and women street vendors and hawkers through a survey from a metropolitan, semi-urban and rural areas of Telanagana and Andhra Pradesh. The present work will facilitate and help understand the agency that is the government for a relevant intervention and support for the betterment of the women street vendors and hawkers.
From Research to Impact: Towards just and resilient agri-food systems
(Report, 2023-10-12) CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform; Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Gender and social inclusion impact of climate change, COVID shocks and stresses on agriculture and food systems in Tanzania: The case of Maasai women in Chalinze district
(Presentation, 2023-10-09) Genda, Elizabeth Lulu
Consideration to gender matters is important for the equity of climate change adaptation programs and effective food security. The overlaying global socioecological emergencies of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic have simultaneously impacted food security. The study assessed the impacts of climate change and COVID-19 outbreak on food security among Maasai using gender lenses. The paper is a result of mixed-methods research design that mainly relied on interviews, focus group discussion, and questionnaire. The findings shows that Maasai women were facing difficulties caused by climate change long before COVID-19 outbreak due to their nomadic nature, where men migrated with livestock to areas with better pasture and water for livestock— leaving behind women and children. This affected women because they depend on milk and its products for family consumption and income; consequently, absence of livestock triggered food insecurity. The study recommended that government and its agencies and stakeholders: increase their consideration to the climate change stresses on agriculture and food systems through gender programs; strengthen the integration of research into climate adaptation programs; increase advocacy for coping with climate change–related risks in relationship to nature and ecosystems and values that drive inequalities in development and resist social reforms.
Gender attitudes on politics and leadership: A framing experiment
(Poster, 2023-10-10) Ning Ma; Ragasa, Catherine; Kyle, Jordan
This paper measures the extent of attitudes toward gender inequality in leadership at different levels of decisionmaking. We also estimated the effect of a subtle gender frame on those gender attitudes through a randomized survey experiment. Using a sample of 241 experts involved in federal- and state-level agri-food policy process in Nigeria, we presented six statements that support gender (in)equality in leadership at different levels and asked the experts to rate each statement using a four-point Likert scale. Study results show persistent gender norms around women’s leadership roles, even among elites and experts: 4–20% of female experts and 30–46% of male experts in our sample still believe that men are better in leadership positions at different levels. Female experts’ gender attitudes did not vary by the level of decision-making and by gender frame; however, males’ gender attitudes varied significantly by the level of decision-making and by the gender frame. Those randomly assigned the gender equality frame (e.g., Women make equally good or better political leaders than men do) were less likely to have attitudes in support of gender inequality in leadership than those randomly assigned the gender-inequality frame (e.g., Men make better political leaders than women do). Male respondents tended to disagree less on the statements that support gender equality than to agree on the statements that support gender inequality. Assessing attitudes through surveys is often challenging and biased, as we show that responses to sensitive gender questions are malleable and sensitive to subtle framing. We demonstrate that subtle frames affect survey responses, which warrants attention to a more careful survey design
Gender analysis of climate stressed rice-based systems in Mali
(Presentation, 2023-10-12) Diabate, Fatoumata; Mujawamariya, Gaudiose
Agriculture and livestock represent the main incomegenerating activity for women and youth in the rural areas of Mali. It is expected that climate change will lead to a reduction in food production due to changes in rainfall patterns and temperature in Africa (Awojobi and Tetteh, 2017), and Mali is facing the same challenges. To cope with such climateinduced stress, women and youth need information and access to climate-smart technologies. This study analyzes the role of women in rice-based systems heavily affected by climate stress, and their access to resources on climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and Climate Information Services (CIS) in Mali. Mixed methods were applied: a quantitative study covered 766 male and female respondents in 383 households and a qualitative investigation engaged 134 women and 155 men in 34 focus group, plus 29 key informants in the major rice-growing regions in Mali. The study showed large gaps between female and male farmers’ access to resources: specific gender constraints in the rice-based activity include access to land, improved seeds, rice farming, machinery, formal credit facilities, extension services, labor force, fertilizers and climate information. Particularly, the willingness to maintain women in the conditions of dependency was observed, hence, they were likely to abandon rice production or remain in labor-wage activities due to multiple climaterelated challenges they were facing
Gender and demand stimulation for agricultural mechanization service use in Ethiopia
(Presentation, 2023-10-11) Jaleta, Moti; Mohammed, Abdu; Gebresilasse, Mesay; Godlonton, Susan
Agricultural mechanization is less developed in subSaharan Africa (SSA). Even in areas where there are scale-appropriate mechanization services, their use by smallholders (especially by women farmers) is minimal due to various social and economic factors. Following a randomized control trial (RCT) approach in stimulating men and women farmers in machinery-service use for cereals threshing and collecting survey data from 841 women-headed and 1,116 men-headed households in East and Southwest Shewa Zones in Central Ethiopia, this paper assesses how gender of the household head affects the demand for mechanization services. Empirical results show that gender of a household head is associated with the use of machinery services. Younger household heads are more proactive in using incentives provided in stimulating machinery-service use for threshing. Regardless of the gender of household heads, there is a location difference on the intensity of mechanizationservice use by smallholders. In most of the cases, the size of the cultivated farmland matters in mechanizationservice use. Overall, subsidies have a significant effect in stimulating demand for mechanization services by smallholders. However, no significant difference was observed between men and women household heads in using the provided incentives for demand stimulation. This implies that availability of mechanization services alone does not guarantee use of these services by men and women farmers. It is essential to further explore the role of institutional setups in which smallholder farmers operate and the supply side challenges service providers have in reaching out to men and women farmers under poor rural infrastructure.
Game-Changing Innovations for Food System Transformation: Evidence on Women’s Inclusion in Livestock Vaccines Systems in Northern Ghana
(Presentation, 2023-10-11) Njiru, Nelly; Galiè, Alessandra; Omondi, Immaculate A.; Omia, Dalmas; Loriba, Agnes; Awin, Peter
There has been considerable debate on how to develop gender-equitable agri-food innovations. Much of the debate is on whether gender-accommodative approaches (GAAs) and the more-recent gendertransformative approaches (GTAs) can work and how. Evidence on best pathways for gender-equitable agri-food innovations is limited. Livestock contributes to animalsource foods and to progress toward gender-equitable agri-food systems. Gender inequality reduces women’s access to productive resources, including livestock vaccines, with negative consequences on livestock productivity and women’s empowerment. We present results of a systematic assessment of interventions by a development project—the Women Rear—and their contribution to change in gender norms, access to livestock vaccines, and women’s empowerment (WE). Qualitative data were collected from 25 single-sex and one mixed focus group discussions (FGDs) and 39 key informant interviews (KIIs) with different value chain actors to assess changes in gender norms that limit women’s ability to access livestock vaccines and their empowerment, after the GT and the GA interventions. Resulting from GTAs, the restrictive gender norms started to relax. Prior to the project, women were not allowed to own livestock, state in any context that they owned them and sell them. Now they can do all three things (albeit at different degrees). Men appreciate that these changes reduced men’s financial burden. Women’s empowerment and critical consciousness are positively associated with changes in gender norms. We recommend pathways toward more-inclusive livestock research and innovation that contribute to women’s empowerment and healthy livestock for inclusive agrifood systems.
From seeds of change to harvesting equality: Women in India’s agro-ecology based agri-food systems
(Poster, 2023-10-10) Singh, Sonali
The Indian agricultural system is undergoing rapid degradation because of climate-induced shocks and stressors. As a result, there have been endeavors among governments, civil society organizations and researchers to embrace transformative approaches toward the agri-food system. Within this context, agroecology has emerged as a comprehensive methodology that aims to reshape food systems by harnessing the interconnectedness between indigenous knowledge, local conservation practices, social capital and strategies for adapting to the climate crisis. The pivotal role of women within agro-ecology is widely acknowledged, as their active engagement is considered crucial to the success and effectiveness of this approach. However, significant constraints persist in limiting women’s meaningful participation in agro-ecological farming systems, including constraints imposed by existing agricultural policies, institutional frameworks, gender roles, and limited access to markets, land, and information. Employing a gender and political-economy framework, this paper analyzes how agro-ecological approaches to agri-food systems have the potential to empower women, and where gaps and institutional barriers remain in limiting the participation of women. Through a comprehensive review of agriculture policy documents, case studies and empirical evidence, this study seeks to uncover the gaps and challenges in achieving gender-responsive policy and institutional frameworks within the agro-ecological context. By examining the intersectionality between gender, climate change, and food systems, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics of the Indian agri-food systems and offers an alternative, inclusive paradigm to conventional systems of practice.
From waste to managed waste facility and compost for farming: The role of women movement in urban villages in Bali, Indonesia
(Poster, 2023-10-10) Utomo, Marcellinus Mandira Budi; Pieter, Levina Augusta Geraldine; Kusumawati, Dewi; Putra, Hermitianta P.
One of the problems faced by urban areas is waste, including in Pejeng Village, Bali, Indonesia. With the issuance of Governor Regulation No. 47 of 2019, waste management must be carried out at the village level through waste management facilities (TPS3R) and Pejeng is one of the villages that has successfully implemented this regulation. With so many TPS3R failing halfway, the study of the success factors of TPS3R in Pejeng is important, so that its findings can be a recommendation for possible factors so that TPS3R is successful in other villages. Through field observations, in-depth interviews with key informants, and participatory action research (PAR), it was found that the role of the Pejeng Village women’s organization ‘Laskar Pertiwi’, who voluntarily set aside their time in the waste management movement, has a very large role in educating residents to carry out waste sorting at the household level and never giving up despite many rejections in the early stages of the program, go directly to the field to collect waste and process organic waste into compost for soil improvement materials for agriculture. Through PAR purchasing compost from TPS3R Pejeng and providing compost grants to rice farmers in one planting season as a stimulus to switch from non-organic to organic farming, it is known that there are still compost sales challenges because making rice farmers aware of how to consistently farm organic rice still takes time. Nevertheless, Laskar Pertiwi has succeeded in creating a healthier living environment, waste that has a selling value, and increased public awareness.
From hotspots to hope: Unearthing gender narratives in climate-touched terrains
(Presentation, 2023-10-11) CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform
The objective of the session is bringing together key pieces of primary research on gender equality in transforming agri-food systems in the face of climate change, conducted in the framework of a collaboration between IDRC, the GENDER Impact Platform, and CGIAR and external partners. A research program was set up to identify pathways in changing food systems that allow for increasing gender equality. Climate change emerged as a significant and critical trend, simultaneously affecting agri-food systems and gender equality; hence this research focuses on the intersection of climate change, agri-food systems and gender equality. The conceptual framework builds on the gendered food systems frameworks, as well as recent frameworks linking climate change and gender equality in agri-food systems. The session will briefly introduce how we identified climate–agriculture–gender inequality hotspots. The session will include two presentations of results of in-depth case studies examining the intersections of climate change, gender equality and agri-food systems in such hotspots, more particularly in Bangladesh and Zambia. This will be followed by two presentations of results of quasi-experimental impact studies testing the potential of interventions to address gender equality in food systems and in climate resilience in these hotspots. A representative of IDRC will attend, reflecting on the overarching learning and implications for gender equality and climate action in interventions.
Framework for climate resilience in food systems with a gendered lens
(Presentation, 2023-10-12) Tank, Nikita; Vishwanath, Drishti; Choudhary, Anjali
With the acknowledgment of climate change as a key development concern, the concept of climate resilience to combat its impacts has gained research and policy impetus. Further, there has been a growing emphasis on gender in climate resilience, given that women are documented as experiencing greater vulnerabilities and adaptation challenges. In the domain of agriculture and food systems, various studies develop a conceptual framework, as well as identify resilience indicators within these; for example, Waldick identifies key drivers of climate resilience (governance, demographics, markets, etc.) within a framework, and Lipper identifies potential pathways of climate-smart agriculture (CSA). Huyer expands Lipper’s framework to integrate gender and social inclusive dimensions. Given the multiplicity of interpretations and frameworks, this study seeks to: (a) examine the existing frameworks on climate resilience and gender in food systems through a systematic review, and (b) build on and strengthen these to develop an encompassing framework considering various contexts and intersectionalities, drawing from field learnings in Odisha, India. This is a mixed-methods study including secondary data and information synthesis, focus group discussions and qualitative interviews of stakeholders in food systems. The framework can serve as a comprehensive conceptual and practical diagnostic tool for policymakers to apply across different agriculture and food subsystems (such as crops, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture), for local and state contexts.
Framework for gender in feeds and forages research
(Poster, 2023-10-10) Njuguna-Mungai, Esther; Galiè, Alessandra; Duncan, Alan J.; Lukuyu, Ben A.; Derseh, Melkamu; Jones, Christopher S.; Amole, Tunde A.; Baltenweck, Isabelle
Low livestock productivity often observed in developing countries is partly attributed to unimproved genetic stocks and inadequate animal health services, but the scarcity of high-quality and sufficient feeds is the critical constraining factor. The livestock feed challenge persists despite many investment programs focused on livestock feed research and development over the past three decades. Feed availability on small-scale farms is also impacted by climate change factors that lead to seasonal droughts during which feed resources are scarce, pastures dry up, distance to scavenge for feeds increases and market-based alternatives become expensive. The limited availability of feed during the dry season results in sizeable seasonal fluctuation in milk (or other products) production and, in extreme cases, producers lose their livestock. Community social norms (informal rules and regulations) lead to women, youth and men experiencing the feeds challenge in different ways in different locations. This gender and feeds conceptual framework is designed to help unpack the gender considerations to focus on in the feeds value chains in diverse livestock production systems in lowand medium-income countries (LMIC). It focuses on how, where, and which gender considerations matter in feed-resource targeting, feed-option improvement, and feed input/output marketing and delivery. The aim is to positively affect the knowledge about and adoption of improved feed technologies and innovations, among men and women farmers, to ultimately contribute to enhanced livestock production in the smallholder systems in LMIC as a component of agri-food systems.
Four key enablers of youth empowerment to achieve more sustainable agri-food systems
(Presentation, 2023-10-10) Panday, Dinesh
Our agri-food systems are facing increasing shocks and stresses, which puts them under immense pressure. This raises the question of whether we can produce efficiently to meet rising global demand, while protecting the environment and communities inclusively and more sustainably. For this question, it is necessary to adopt practices that can make agriculture and forestry more efficient under limited availability of natural resources. However, the key challenge is to transform current agri-food systems into more resilient, sustainable, equitable and accessible systems for all and it is essential to identify and support the main drivers of this transformation. The first cohort of Young Scientists Group (2022–2023) conducted a review, including case studies and an interview, on specific policy issues, of particular concern to youth, related to agri-food systems transformation. We explored that youth, including diverse groups such as rural youth, indigenous youth, young women, etc., are better positioned as drivers and agents of change by advancing four key enablers (education, technology, science and policy) especially given their willingness to take risks and adopt new ideas. The complete report is divided into five chapters: (i) provides an overview of the latest issues affecting agri-food systems, (ii) focuses on the challenges faced by youth who are working to advance sustainable agri-food systems, (iii) identifies and explores four key enablers of youth empowerment, (iv) highlights existing youth-based initiatives for improving agri-food systems, and (v) provides conclusions with 18 science-based and action-oriented recommendations that need to be adopted immediately to achieve more sustainable agrifood systems.
Adopting a gender-transformative approach (GTA) to increase dietary diversity and decision-making of women: Evidence from a nutrition-sensitive intervention in Bangladesh
(Poster, 2023-10-10) Nahar, Kamrun; Mahfuzul Haque, A.B.M.; Hossain, Mohammad Mokarrom
Given the high levels of malnutrition in Bangladesh, and the importance of fish in providing micronutrients, we sought to understand the dietary diversity, level of nutrition knowledge, awareness and attitude toward fish consumption among fisheries communities in the Cox’s Bazar area. In addition, the study aims to assess the effects of gender-transformative approaches (recognizing the importance of targeting both husbands (men) and wives (women). The study also targets other influential members within the households to improve the food, nutrition and build skills in communication and problem-solving to discuss nutrition and genderrelated problems that were implemented in the technical training portfolio for agriculture, aquaculture, nutrition, and market development interventions. The study aims to assess the effects of gendertransformative approaches to discussing nutrition- and gender-related problems that were implemented in the technical training portfolio for agriculture, aquaculture, nutrition and market development interventions targeting female beneficiaries and their husbands to challenge gendered barriers to agriculture, health and nutrition behaviors. Data were collected using mixed methods; we carried out quantitative survey from 322 artisanal fisher households (project beneficiaries) of Cox’s Bazar district. We collected qualitative (semistructured interviews), 16 focus group discussions and 16 key informant interviews. The result shows that the proportion of women who are consuming an inadequate diet was 55% of households that have a lower dietary diversity score, while 45% have an acceptable dietary diversity score after the intervention. Whereas 82% of the households had lower dietary diversity scores, and only 18% of households had acceptable dietary diversity scores at the baseline with increased participation in the critical household decision-making process. The basic nutrition- awareness training participants (92%) understood topics. Nutrition (92%) and caring for pregnant mothers (84%) and women’s knowledge contributed to women’s dietary diversity. The majority of participants (92%) understood the topics of the gender sensitization training: workload sharing (94%), joint decision-making (66%), and trust building (64%). Most participants practised workload sharing (91%), joint decision-making (70%) and trust building (61%). Overall, the gender-transformative approach is effective in addressing gender inequality and its adaptation to enable household members to work together for better nutrition outcomes for women in this program.
Food Sovereignty in Northeast India
(Presentation, 2023-10-11) Vaiphei, Lianboi
Fostering gender dimensions in henna (Lawsonia inermis L.) production under arid and semi-arid conditions
(Poster, 2023-10-10) Simgh, Dheeraj; Chaudhary, M.K.; Tetarwal, Chandan Kumar; Kuri, B.R.
In the experiences of arid/semi-arid zone Rajasthan women farmers with limited resources, it is imperative to create alternate livelihood options with strict adherence to sustainable technologies. In this regard, henna cultivation has become highly commercialized in the Pali district, but still there is a wide gap between current production and productivity. Women’s participation in the henna (Lawsonia inermis L.)-based farming system is crucial to the sustenance of rural economy in such areas. They need to be involved in the cropping sector to considerably increase productivity. Realizing the importance and involvement of women in henna production, a study on gender dimensions in henna production was undertaken in the Pali district in Rajasthan. The degree of participation of women in henna production was determined in operations for manual participation and supervision. A knowledge test was prepared to assess the training needs pertaining to selected operations in henna growing. It is evident from the study that participation of women in different operations of henna production was very high. With women predominant at all levels—production, preharvest, post-harvest processing, packaging and even marketing—it is imperative to adopt gender-specific interventions. An inclusive, transformative agricultural policy should aim at gender-specific interventions to raise productivity of small farm holdings, integrate women as active agents in rural transformation, and engage women in extension services with gender expertise. Thus, rural women are increasing their quantum in the integrated management and use of diverse natural resources with multiple roles as cultivators, entrepreneurs and laborers.

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