Women farmers and the need for a gendersensitive extension

Abstract

Women play a pivotal role in agriculture throughout the developing world, both as labourers and decision-- makers. Even in households containing both adult men and women, women often have primary responsibility for producing food. Also, if women are to carry out their extensive and  multifaceted roles in agriculture and respond to market incentives more efficiently, they need effective extension services. This paper discusses the role of women in agriculture, the constraints they face, the arguments in support of a gender-sensitive extension and the various ways by which extension messages can be better transmitted to women farmers.

Key words: Women farmers, constraints, methods, gender-sensitive, extension