gender Archives - IITA News

Researchers give decision-makers tools for better SAI interventions

Africa is a major producer of several kinds of cereals like sorghum, millet, wheat, maize, and rice, yet there is a wide gap between actual and potential yields for these cereals. Total production is not keeping up with the increase in population, leading to intensifying production with more commercial inputs. However, the environmental concerns from…

Dr Lilian Nkengla-Asi (Middle), after a brief introductiory discussion on gender research with men and women banana farmers in Idologun community/study site.

Understanding the gender dimensions of the spread of banana diseases in Nigerian communities

Seeds are essential agricultural inputs in food production, biodiversity conservation, and overall crop yield. However, seeds can carry plant pathogens and serve as vehicles for pathogen spread, naturally and through formal and informal seed distribution, from one season to the next, and within and between geographies. The global spread of the banana bunchy top virus…

How gender norms prevent women from using technology to shell maize in Tanzania

“Shelling maize by hand is an easy task and should be left to women. Men should do tough jobs”, said an agro-dealer from Central Tanzania in 2018 during an interview. Gundula Fischer, a gender expert at IITA, picked up on this topic; her research tells a different story. Fischer investigated the drudgery of maize shelling…

IITA promotes a gender-balanced environment

IITA has always maintained a policy of zero tolerance for discrimination. As usual, IITA joined the rest of the world to celebrate Zero Discrimination Day on 1 March by organizing a virtual seminar themed “End Inequality,” The purpose was to create awareness on the concept of discrimination and how to guard against it in the…

Researchers call for gender-friendly crop varieties to aid food security

Researchers call for gender-inclusive crop varieties to aid food security

The global population is rapidly increasing and there is need for increase in global food production to meet the needs of the growing population. Although maize is one of the most important and widely cultivated staple crop in Sub-Saharan Africa, yields have been significantly low in many countries. However, research has shown that gender has…

Researchers reveal factors responsible for Tilapia consumption preferences of low-income consumers in Egypt

Egypt is among the top aquaculture producers globally, and tilapia alone accounts for 47.7% of the country’s per capita fish supply, 55.1% of fish production, and 68.6% of total aquaculture production. The growth of tilapia production increased rapidly in the last four years, following the release of the genetically improved Nile tilapia strain to Egyptian…

Adoption of gender-responsive approaches towards research on pest and disease management

Studies have shown that adopting a gender perspective while conducting agronomic research and extension work provides more efficient approaches to managing pests and diseases at the field level. This is because women and men farmers often play different roles in agricultural production. Women possess different knowledge levels about pests and diseases and are differently involved…

Biofortified cassava processed into gari.

Biofortified cassava: Researchers call for gender-responsive strategies to improve food and nutrition security and reduce poverty in Nigeria

Market demand is a key driver of the production of biofortified cassava for male adopters and farmers. However, for women, consumer acceptance, preference, and market coupled with the health benefits of biofortified cassava—mainly targeting children and pregnant women—are the motivation for adopting and processing. A study to identify gender-based constraints affecting the production, processing, and marketing activities of biofortified cassava in Oyo and Benue states has established this fact. The study carried out by researchers from IITA, Association of Uganda Professional Women in Agriculture and Environment (AUPWAE) Gender and Development…

The gender equity gap: An inside look at vegetable producers and traders in northern and central Tanzania

Researchers have found that female vegetable farmers and traders in northern Tanzania earn less than their male counterparts while providing the same amount of labor, highlighting the need for more effort to tackle gender inequalities in agriculture. A study published in The European Journal of Development Research (February 2020) analyzed how gender inequality has affected…

Meeting with staff and exhibition of IITA's work with partners

DG meets with staff; looks at IITA’s work with partners

During the meeting with staff, the DG discussed issues of gender, youth in agriculture, staff welfare, and career development. “Consider yourself as part of the global staff and that you are an ambassador of IITA right from your communities to the airport. IITA stands in good shape with your support,” remarked Sanginga. Following an overview…