Chapter 12 Gender in Horticulture

by Tina Beuchelt

12.1 Materials

To prepare for our interactive session, you’ll need some background on the importance of including gender into agricultural/horticultural research. Please watch the webinar prepared for the Horticulture Innovation Lab at the University of California (until the Q&A section) and the additional short videos, which provide an excellent introduction to the topic.

Horticulture Innovation Lab:

• How to integrate gender equity strategies into horticulture value chains (first 60 minutes)

Short videos:

• Gender in Agriculture and Rural Development
• The importance of gender statistics
• What is a Feminist Economy?
• Dismantling patriarchy whilst building food sovereignty
• The Gender continuum in projects

12.1.1 Questions

1. What is the difference between the sex and the gender of a person?
2. What are the five domains of women’s empowerment according to the WEAI framework?
3. What is the difference between equality and equity?
4. What is the purpose of a gender strategy in research/development projects, esp. in impact-oriented research in development contexts and how can it be done?

12.1.2 Additional materials

We were only able to present a brief glimpse on gender in horticulture. If you want to learn more about these topics, also with a stronger European perspective, please check out the following resources:

• Training guide on how to include gender aspects in your own research: Gender and climate change research in Agriculture and food security for Rural development
• A rich platform with research publications, tools, methods, handbooks and trainings on gender in agriculture:
• Policy Brief: Women on agricultural holdings in Germany: Findings and recommendations of the nationwide study. “women.life.agriculture”.
• EU Project: SWIFT: Supporting Women-led Innovation in Farming Territories
• European Commission on Females in the field:
• Research paper: Power and culture: Understanding EU policies on agriculture and gender equality

Scaling agricultural innovation – in a fair, inclusive way that enhances gender equity - is an enormously important aspect of agricultural development. If you want to learn more about these topics, please check out the following resources:

• Website of the genderup project
• Webinar Series: Innovating and Scaling for Social Transformation in International Food Systems
• Innovation and Scaling: An Introductory Online Course from the CGIAR

12.2 Instructions

Our activities for the day will focus on a) Follow-up reflection, questions and interactive discussion based on the video material b) A group-exercise to analyse the impacts of a horticultural innovation on farm household, especially on women.

You’ll receive more guidance in class.

12.3 Literature for discussion

Please read the following article:

Beuchelt, T.D. and L. Badstue. 2013. Gender, nutrition- and climate-smart food production: Opportunities and trade-offs. Food Security, Vol. 5 (5), 709–721. DOI: 10.1007/s12571-013-0290-8 (open access).

The following questions can structure your discussion (choose one block per group):

Block A:

• Gender Dynamics: How do gender roles influence food production practices in horticulture? Can you provide examples of how these roles shape both the labor and decision-making processes? How do gender roles and relations impact the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices or horticultural innovations in rural communities? What are the potential benefits and challenges of integrating gender considerations into agricultural development programs?

• Nutrition and Food Security: In what ways can climate-smart agricultural practices contribute to improved nutrition and food security? What are the potential trade-offs between increasing food production and ensuring nutritional quality – and how does this relate to gender aspects?

• Policy and Inclusive Development: What role do policies play in promoting gender, nutrition, and climate-smart food production in the horticultural sector? How can policymakers create an enabling environment that supports inclusive development and addresses the specific needs of women farmers?

Block B:

• Technology and Mechanization: How does the introduction of new agricultural technologies and mechanization affect gender dynamics and labor distribution in farming communities? What strategies can be employed to ensure equitable access to these technologies for both men and women? Please also think of examples from the horticultural sector and the lectures you had already.

• Trade-offs and Mitigation: What lessons can be learned about the implementation of climate-smart agricultural practices in different cultural and socio-economic contexts and especially in regard to gender? In which areas may trade-offs may exist? How can these trade-offs be managed to benefit all stakeholders? Please also think of examples from the horticultural sector and the lectures you had already.

• Policy and Inclusive Development: What role do policies play in promoting gender, nutrition, and climate-smart food production in the horticultural sector? How can policymakers create an enabling environment that supports inclusive development and addresses the specific needs of women farmers?

12.4 Term paper topics

Unfortunately, we can’t offer any term papers on this topic, unless you come up with your own idea.