Gender issues in farming systems research and extension : a survey of current projects

The present report analyzes the responses to the survey questionnaire. Questions 1-10 of the questionnaire elicited basic information about the projects (e.g., location, institutional affiliation, aims, components, and target groups), while questions 11-16 asked about use of gender analysis, the incorporation of analysis results into project development, and the training of project personnel in gender issues. Questions 17-20 asked respondents to describe: obstacles to the inclusion of gender issues and to the participation of women, strategies used to overcome these obstacles, and the benefits deriving from attention to gender issues. Although most respondents recognized the need to consider gender in agricultural development, significant confusion was reported over the meaning, implications, and methodology of gender analysis, the major obstacle to which is the cultural attitudes of project personnel. Those who did utilize gender analysis reported major benefits, including more appropriate and accurately targeted projects and more efficient and acceptable research and technology transfer. The report recommends that farming systems projects develop appropriate gender analysis methodologies, communicate field-tested methods to other projects, and train project teams in their use. A copy of the survey questionnaire is appended.