Embedding gender and diversity in the Plantwise Programme: overview of findings

Gender assessment of the Plantwise programme, 2011-2019 CABI Study Brief 41: Learning.

“…In the early period of the programme in Ghana, information about plant clinics was communicated through extension workers and local leaders in agricultural meetings, which were mostly attended by men. These channels did not reach women and, as a result, women used to associate services provided by plant clinics as services meant for men (Surridge and Begum, 2015).…”

“…Although it differs from one region to another, women usually preferred plant clinic sites to be closer to them, such as local trading areas, while men preferred clinics to be located in bigger markets, places that they usually access (Miiro et al, 2015 ). In terms of time, Ghanaian women generally preferred clinics to be held in late afternoons (after 2 pm), after they finish their care work activities and farm work, while men preferred earlier hours (Surridge and Begum, 2015).…”

Gender differences in the use of plant health information services: A case of plant clinics under Plantwise Program in Kenya

“…According to clinic records, a total of 8,699 female and 12,928 male farmers visited plant clinics between 2012 and June 2016. This means that women are underrepresented at plant clinics and the proportion of female queries is on average half that of males, which does not reflect the proportion of female to male input to agriculture (Surridge and Rufsana, 2015).…”

“…This is consistent with Africa's agricultural sector, where women are responsible for producing 80% of the food as opposed to men who tend to engage more in income generating activities such as cash crop production, perhaps because of their responsibility of availing food for the family (Doss, 2001;FAO, 1998). Surridge and Rufsana (2015) established that there were differences in gender relations and division of labour at the household level even though the clinics were located in the same region. Women are involved in reproductive, productive and community activities in the different plant clinic areas and also interact with other service providers within their communities.…”