Banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW) is a bacterial banana disease that threatens household income and food security in Burundi. Single disease stem removal (SDSR) is a new labour-saving practice that has been introduced to improve BXW control. In this study we aimed to understand how gender roles can influence the scaling up of SDSR to manage BXW

Bullock, Renee M.

Iradukunda, F.

Rietveld, Anne M.

Schagen, Boudy van

Bullock, Renee

CGSpace

Understanding gender roles and practices in innovation processes: A case study of Banana Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW) disease management in Burundi Iradukunda Francois*1, Bullock Renee3, Rietveld Anne2 and van Schagen Boudy11Bioversity International, Bujumbura, Burundi 2 Bioversity International, Kampala, Uganda3 International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, Bukavu, DRC  *presenting author: Iradukunda Francois f.iradukunda@cgiar.orgMATERIAL AND METHODSINTRODUCTIONAIMRESULTS This research is made possible thanks to the technical and financial support from GREAT and USAID/FFPWilt of leavesWilt of male budYellow oozing Early and heterogenic maturingbrowning of fruit pulpCut off infected plant Kill meristemSterilize tools on fire Remove male bud BXW Symptoms recognition SDSR core Practices Regular field visit  Avoiding leaf cutting Avoiding free roaming of browsing animals SDSR Complementary Practices FROM DISEASE TO CONTROL USING SDSRREFERENCES  • Banana Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW) is a bacterial banana disease that threatens household income andfood security in Burundi.• Complete mat removal (CMR), the primary recommendation of BXW control package was reported tootedious and time-consuming by farmers• Single disease stem removal (SDSR) is a new labor-saving practice that has been introduced toimprove BXW control.• The gender roles affect the potential to control and reduce BXW spreadBetter understand :• Gender dynamics In banana cropping systems,• Knowledge transfer at household and community level• How these could influence the scaling up of SDSR to manage BXWSite & context of the study• North-east Burundi, within the framework of USAID-funded Program entitled “AMASHIGA”• Bioversity International was contracted to control of BXW using SDSR approach• Farmers learning groups (FLGs) have been created in pilot sites as a frame of information sharingregarding BXW management• GREAT(Gender-Responsive Researchers Equipped for Agricultural Transformation) trained Bioversityresearchers in the theory and practice of gender-responsive research on RTB crops.• The team successfully competed for a seed grant to apply knowledge and skills received on a genderresearch topic.Data collection• Qualitative data collection methods were used• 8 focus groups discussions, 6 key informant interviews and 57 transcript contents from (FLGs)meetings.• The key informants provided details about their community in terms of the banana production system,previous BXW management, the sources and modes of information dissemination etc.• The purpose of the FGDs was to better understand gender dynamics in banana cropping systems andaccess to knowledgeData analysis• Data were analysed using Nvivo 10 software• Content analysis was performed using a combination of deductive and inductive approachesGender dynamics in banana cropping system• Cash and food crops are often intercropped in banana-based farming systems. Cash crops areassociated with men and food crops associated with women• Men and women prefer banana cultivars based on the use that is linked to gender roles:ü Banana beer is preferred by men, who typically manage income from it in marriedhouseholds.ü Women prefer cooking varieties because of their roles in household’s foodconsumption.• While some men considered that the use of money resulting from banana becomes the decision ofman without consulting his wife, others found that it is wise to inform his wife about the banana salesto motivate her to continue working in the banana plantation.Access to knowledge &information between men and women• Banana and disease management tasks are often carried out by men; thus men are generallytargeted as recipients for trainings and information.• Women attend meetings/trainings when their husbands are unable or refuse to attend.• Men prefer to attend meetings when they realize direct economic benefits e.g. per diems• women’s mobility when compared to men, is limited because of their roles and responsibilities thatare associated with household and reproductive tasksHousehold knowledge transfer and innovation uptake• Within FLG members applying SDSR to manage BXW , a limited intra-household sharing ofinformation has been observed.• Even when information is shared , men claimed that SDRS practices are not necessaryimplemented by their wives• However, women’s activities on annual crops associated with banana, are seen as opportunities touse SDRS practices to control BXW• A woman in FGD said “it is time to break with culture, women can do the work on banana”Community knowledge transfer and innovation uptake• Information sharing from FLG members to non-members in the community serves as important wayto disseminate SDRS practices.• However , in some circumstances non-members do not heed advices of members• FLG members are not recognized by community members as being knowledgeable of SDSR• Neighbors’ failure to manage the disease affects activities of those who make concerted effort tomanage BXW in the community• Research to investigate gender in systems is essential to ensure that approaches do not cause undueharm that undermines women’s empowerment and smallholder livelihoods.• A “one size fits all” approach towards the introduction and scaling of innovations will likely deepen genderinequality in gender unequal contexts.• Gender roles clearly have implications for managing BXW and scaling methods to control the disease• Access to agricultural knowledge is gendered. Limitations to access the source of information is closelylinked to gender specific role in agricultureCONCLUSIONACKNOWLEDGEMENT 1. Blomme, G.; Ocimati, W.; Sivirihauma, C.; Vutseme, L.; Mariamu, B.; Kamira, M.; van   Schagen, B.; Ekboir, J.; Ntamwira, J. (2017) A control package revolving around the removal of single diseased banana stems is effective for the restoration of Xanthomonaswilt infected fields. European Journal of Plant Patholoogy. Online first paper (15MAR17). ISSN: 0929-18732. Rubin, Deborah. 2016. Qualitative methods for gender research in agricultural development. IFPRI Discussion Paper 1535. Washington, D.C.: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). http://ebrary.ifpri.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15738coll2/id/1303493. Doss, C. (2011). Intrahousehold Bargening and Resource Allocation in developing countries  in Word Development report, 2012.  Gender equiality and development4. Spielman D.J. (2005) Innovation Systems Perspectives on Developing-Country Agriculture: A Critical Review,  International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington,D.C.Presented  at  30th international Horticultural Congress (IHC2018)  12 - 16 August 2018 Istanbul - Turkey

Understanding gender roles and practices in innovation processes

https://cgspace.cgiar.org/bitstream/10568/97654/1/Understanding_Iradukunda_2018.pdf

Understanding gender roles and practices in innovation processes

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

CGSpace