Migrants from marginal dry areas in Syria: Destinations, employment, and returns

We examine the determinants of migrants' choices of destination, employment, and remittances from one of the poorest marginal dry areas in Syria. Qualitative and econometric analysis of cross-sectional data indicates that migrants' choices depend mainly on individual, household, and community characteristics and also on availability of opportunities. The main factors affecting the choice of destination and employment are the sending area, age, and sex of migrants, while the educational level had no significant effect in both cases. The larger the endowments of migrants' households, the higher the remittances sent back home to preserve households' assets in marginal dry areas

Because gender matters : strengthening social and gender analysis in ENRM in the Middle East and North Africa

This project aimed to build the gender research capacity of four teams in national research institutions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Among findings, research in Djelfa, Algeria, confirmed a strong relationship between the degradation of productive natural resources (rangelands) which affects grazing patterns of livestock and the loss of local knowledge related to women's production of traditional garments. As well, analysis of the male-dominated food industry through case studies generated lessons for the Rural Women Cooperatives. Research also shows how men and women farmers cope with climate variability, where coping strategies are shaped by gender dimensions of power relations and decision making

Because gender matters : strengthening social and gender analysis in ENRM in the Middle East and North Africa; final technical report, February/March 2009 – September, 2013

Gender research integration and challenges are cross-sectoral and involve multiple government agencies, farmers’ organizations, knowledge organizations, and the private sector. Gender understanding and its integration into research and development is still inadequate in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This project builds gender research capacity of 4 teams in different national research institutions in MENA. For gender research integration to be successful, there needs to be multisectoral coordination mechanisms that have the resources to plan, monitor and manage new programs. Outputs of the team research will be published in a volume “Gender Research in Natural Resource Management.

Forum on agriculture, rural development and migration in the Mediterranean : a better understanding of the drivers and impacts for forward-looking policies and programmes

Most rural areas in the Mediterranean and beyond are characterised by migratory flows, which affect local economies, societies and agroecologies. This is significant for both the countries of origin and those of destination. The implications of this phenomenon are relevant in terms of food production, natural resource management, territorial integration, social protection, diasporas and inclusive development – with impacts on the overall sustainability and resilience of our society. This work reports the outcomes of the Forum on Agriculture, Rural Development and Migration in the Mediterranean organized on 29/5/2018 CIHEAM, FAO, UfMS and EUI’s Global Governance Programme to discuss rural migration in the Mediterranean from the perspective of rural and agricultural development, with the aim to provide policy recommendations and establish a regional multi-stakeholder platform for decision-makers at different levels. </p

Markos Tibbo is Livestock Offi cer/O-i-C Animal Production and Health Offi cer, RNE Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations Regional Offi ce for the Near East, 11 Gender Roles in Agriculture: The Case of Afghanistan

Abstract Technological interventions aiming to improve livelihoods that bring gender equity can become successful only when the prevailing gender roles in society and access to different livelihood opportunities are fully understood. This article analyses gender roles in agriculture in the conservative patriarchal society of Afghanistan. Rapid appraisal was conducted through focus group interviews, participatory resource mapping, and so on, in seven villages each from Nangarhar and Baghlan provinces of Afghanistan. Educated women coordinators, facilitators and activists and well established womens&apos; groups were used to reach and target key women informants as they are not allowed to interact directly with male researchers. Their participation was more in livestock related activities. The study indicated that women&apos;s involvement was less than men&apos;s in both livestock and crop related activities. Age, social stigmas, poverty and shortage of labour influence the gender division of labour, decision-making ability and participation in Afghanistan&apos;s farm and non-farm activities. This indicates that any agricultural development programme intending to involve women will be effective only if it has a large component of livestock related activities