Empowerment Through Social Capital Build-Up: Gender Dimensions in Technology Uptake

Abstract

This paper explores how and to what extent women and men have benefited from social capital build-up (the ability of men and women farmers to develop and use various kinds of social networks and the resources that thereby become available) in technology uptake, and the role of women in this process. Using a series of three case studies on ICRISAT's Groundnut Production Technology, the process of technology uptake leading to empowerment is systematically documented through three stages of the adoption pathway. The process stimulating gender-equitable change and empowerment was examined through a sequential analysis using two in-depth case studies in three villages in Maharashtra, India, and complemented by a broader quantitative study of the uptake process covering villages in surrounding districts. This analysis illustrated that social capital is important for both adoption and impact to occur. Qualitative information complemented by quantitative measures provides a holistic understanding of the long-term effects and benefits. The findings illustrated that build-up of social capital improves access to resources like credit, information and knowledge about new technology options and practices. Furthermore, it expands choices available to each household member -e.g. selecting and adopting seed technology of their choice, and alternative investment options -and influences the distribution of benefits from the technology because of the ways in which social networks and social relationships facilitate technology dissemination. Mobilizing social capital through participation of men and women in groups/networks that crossed caste, class and gender barriers mediated the successful adoption and diffusion of technology.

Improving Gender Participation in Agricultural Technology Adoption in Asia: From Rhetoric to Practical Action

“…After women formed their own networks, however, they were invited to participate in agricultural projects and programs. As such, the empowerment of women in this case was required for the access to the social capital necessary to adopt agricultural technologies, an accomplishment largely taken for granted by the male farmers (Bantilan and Padmaja ). The empowerment of women, particularly the increase in numbers of women in leadership roles and their inclusion in previously male‐dominated social networks, increasingly reflects the priorities and goals of women in decision making (Klugman et al ).…”

“…Extension programs have typically been offered through networks such as agricultural associations and farm cooperatives that are predominately the domain of men (Peterman, Behrman, and Quisumbing 2010). In many cases, women were specifically excluded from these networks (Bantilan and Padmaja 2008). By contrast, women mainly join self-help groups or women's groups (Peterman, Behrman, and Quisumbing 2010).…”

“…By contrast, women mainly join self-help groups or women's groups (Peterman, Behrman, and Quisumbing 2010). Through the strengthening of these women's networks, the visibility of women's priorities and needs can be raised, which can open previously exclusionary men's networks (Bantilan and Padmaja 2008). Consequently, extension should be offered through these women's community groups as well as through maledominated farm organizations (Peterman, Behrman, and Quisumbing 2010).…”

“…Consequently, extension should be offered through these women's community groups as well as through maledominated farm organizations (Peterman, Behrman, and Quisumbing 2010). Programs that promote participation in women's groups, either in person or through the use of information and communications technologies, can further empower women to access agricultural extension programs and along with it the human capital, education, information, and resources required for the adoption of agricultural technologies (Klugman et al 2014;Bantilan and Padmaja 2008). It is through these collective efforts that more inclusive technology adoption can be achieved in Asia.…”

An Heuristic Framework for Identifying Multiple Ways of Supporting the Conservation and Use of Traditional Crop Varieties within the Agricultural Production System

“…Social networks help farmers to obtain access to credit as well as information and knowledge about new options and practices. Furthermore, these networks expand choices available to each household member (Pretty, 2002;Bantilan and Padmaja 2008). Building social capital includes developing appropriate 4 The ownership approach refers to the right of farmers to be rewarded for genetic material obtained from their fields and used in commercial varieties and/or protected through intellectual property rights.…”