TH2.1: Understanding femininities: Implications for women's Participation in Agricultural interventions in central Uganda

Research has documented how men's behaviors in patriarchal settings affect women's economic empowerment outcomes, while less attention has been paid to how gender identity constructions around femininities influence these outcomes. We define femininities as gender based roles and expected behaviors of women in a given community and economic empowerment as women's decision-making regarding access and control of productive resources and management of income. This paper presents research on how female and male farmers in rural communities of central Uganda define what it means to be a woman and how those identity constructions influence women's economic empowerment. This qualitative case study is based on focus group discussions conducted with Sasakawa Africa Association intervention farmers (28 women and 25 men) of Kiboga District. Six focus group discussions were conducted, two with men only, women only, and both men and women respectively. Findings reveal co-existence of traditional and progressive femininities, dubbed "unruly" by men and some women. Traditional femininities were depicted as women complying to community values which deter them from financial decision making and owning productive resources. Progressive femininities on the other hand are noncompliant to these community values, and enjoy more economic empowerment. Men valued economically empowered women because they relieve men of financial responsibilities. Incorporating gender transformative approaches in women's economic empowerment interventions could decode traditional femininities and increase women's intrinsic agency within the context of economic empowerment

Information sources and constraints under national agricultural advisory services programme, of service providers in Uganda

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Formation of effective multi-stakeholder Platforms: Lessons from coffee innovation platforms in Uganda

Agricultural innovation systems’ thinking has been adopted in agricultural research and development to harness the actor innovative capabilities, knowledge enhancement and social transformation. Hence there is growing recognition of the viability of Innovation platforms (IPs) as an approach to stimulating development of agricultural enterprises due to their emphasis on value chain development, networking and partnerships. However, despite the key role of the formation process in realization of desired outcomes, there is insufficient knowledge on how to form vibrant agricultural innovation platforms under diverse contexts. This study sought to examine the gaps and draw lessons for effective IP formation using the case of the coffee IPs in the four districts of Luwero, Ntungamo, Bushenyi and Rakai in Uganda. Data were collected through key informant interviews with 32 actors of the coffee steering committees and from document review. Qualitative data analysis was conducted using content and thematic analysis. Gaps identified in the IP formation processes included exclusion of some key stakeholders, unclear management and financing mechanisms, and weak governance structures at lower levels. To enhance legitimacy of innovation platforms, the study recommends a formation operational model with four main components of actor identification and mobilization, visioning and strategy formulation process, IP culture and development of governance structures

Gender and Social Economic Factors Affecting IPM Knowledge Acquisition and Application: A Case Study of Coffee Farmer Group Members in Bugisu, Uganda

The paper presents findings from a study conducted to determine men and women farmers’ knowledge of the coffee Stem Borer IPM practices and socio-economic factors influencing the level of farmers’ knowledge in Bugisu sub region, Uganda. A post training cross sectional survey of 71 men and 55 women members of coffee IPM groups who had participated in training on coffee stem borer IPM was conducted. The knowledge of training participants was computed using a knowledge index and difference between knowledge levels of men and women farmers compared using independent t test. It was found that men had a significantly higher mean score on the IPM knowledge index compared to women. In addition, there was a significant correlation between knowledge of CSB IPM with gender, educational level, marital status, household labor, coffee acreage, years in the coffee group and women’s mobility. The results imply that greater competence is achieved when group training methods were complemented with more personal extension methods such as on farm visits. In addition, targeting various social groups including women, youth, and those who are not members of social and economic groups with the intention of addressing their unique needs would boost their IPM knowledge level. For women, knowledge acquisition is enhanced when gender based barriers to their participation in learning groups are addressed

Gender and Social Economic Factors Affecting IPM Knowledge Acquisition and Application: A Case Study of Coffee Farmer Group Members in Bugisu, Uganda

The paper presents findings from a study conducted to determine men and women farmers’ knowledge of the coffee Stem Borer IPM practices and socio-economic factors influencing the level of farmers’ knowledge in Bugisu sub region, Uganda. A post training cross sectional survey of 71 men and 55 women members of coffee IPM groups who had participated in training on coffee stem borer IPM was conducted. The knowledge of training participants was computed using a knowledge index and difference between knowledge levels of men and women farmers compared using independent t test. It was found that men had a significantly higher mean score on the IPM knowledge index compared to women. In addition, there was a significant correlation between knowledge of CSB IPM with gender, educational level, marital status, household labor, coffee acreage, years in the coffee group and women’s mobility. The results imply that greater competence is achieved when group training methods were complemented with more personal extension methods such as on farm visits. In addition, targeting various social groups including women, youth, and those who are not members of social and economic groups with the intention of addressing their unique needs would boost their IPM knowledge level. For women, knowledge acquisition is enhanced when gender based barriers to their participation in learning groups are addressed

Formation of effective multi-stakeholder Platforms: Lessons from coffee innovation platforms in Uganda

Agricultural innovation systems’ thinking has been adopted in agricultural research and development to harness the actor innovative capabilities, knowledge enhancement and social transformation. Hence there is growing recognition of the viability of Innovation platforms (IPs) as an approach to stimulating development of agricultural enterprises due to their emphasis on value chain development, networking and partnerships. However, despite the key role of the formation process in realization of desired outcomes, there is insufficient knowledge on how to form vibrant agricultural innovation platforms under diverse contexts. This study sought to examine the gaps and draw lessons for effective IP formation using the case of the coffee IPs in the four districts of Luwero, Ntungamo, Bushenyi and Rakai in Uganda. Data were collected through key informant interviews with 32 actors of the coffee steering committees and from document review. Qualitative data analysis was conducted using content and thematic analysis. Gaps identified in the IP formation processes included exclusion of some key stakeholders, unclear management and financing mechanisms, and weak governance structures at lower levels. To enhance legitimacy of innovation platforms, the study recommends a formation operational model with four main components of actor identification and mobilization, visioning and strategy formulation process, IP culture and development of governance structures

Factors affecting effective performance of rural producers’ organizations in the Teso farming system, Uganda

No Abstract