Southeast Asia Gender & IPM Skills Capability Course Project Presentations: Project 5

Summary

This study explores gender differences in pest management strategies among Cambodian and Filipino farmers, focusing on pesticide decision-making related to the fall armyworm infestation. Through fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (FSQCA), the research identifies how factors like farm size, perceived damage, and training access influence whether male or female farmers make pesticide-related decisions. The study highlights the need for gender-focused training programs, particularly in Cambodia, to empower women in agricultural decision-making. It also recommends addressing cultural norms in the Philippines to increase women's participation in pest management. Future research will delve deeper into power dynamics and communication patterns.

Takeaways

• 😀 The study investigates gender differences in pest management strategies between male and female farmers in Cambodia and the Philippines, focusing on fall army worm (FAM) control in maize crops.
• 😀 Fall army worms, first reported in Cambodia in May 2019 and in the Philippines in June 2019, have caused significant crop damage, necessitating an understanding of pest control practices among farmers.
• 😀 Gender roles in farming are traditionally divided, with men in control of decision-making and resources, but recent trends show women increasingly participating in agricultural decisions.
• 😀 The study used Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (FSQCA) to identify the factors influencing whether male or female farmers make pesticide-related decisions.
• 😀 In Cambodia, female farmers predominantly make pesticide-related decisions for maize, while in the Philippines, men take the lead in decision-making, although women are still involved.
• 😀 The study found that factors such as age, maize area cultivated, perceived damage, and access to training influence decision-making, particularly by gender.
• 😀 Cambodian farmers with more training and larger maize areas tend to have women make pesticide-related decisions, while in the Philippines, male decision-makers are more common, especially in households with younger members.
• 😀 In Cambodia, the study identified three configurations (A, B, C) that highlight different pathways leading to female-led pesticide decisions, including factors like age, crop damage, and training access.
• 😀 In the Philippines, the study found that older age groups and limited training for women can hinder their participation in pesticide decision-making, while younger, better-trained women may still face exclusion due to cultural norms.
• 😀 The study recommends scaling up women-focused training on pest and disease management in Cambodia, while in the Philippines, it suggests addressing cultural norms that reinforce male decision-making through gender-awareness programs and promoting household-level learning models.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the study presented in the transcript?

The study focuses on gender differences in pest management strategies, specifically the decision-making processes of male and female farmers regarding the use of pesticides for managing Fall Army Worm (FAW) in maize farming in Cambodia and the Philippines.

How was the data for the study collected?

The data was collected through interviews with farmers in Cambodia and the Philippines, focusing on factors such as age, area cultivated, perceived damage by pests, pesticide purchase decisions, and access to training.

What methodology did the researchers use for the study?

The researchers employed Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (FSQCA) to identify the pathways through which male and female farmers make pesticide-related decisions, using configurational analysis to understand the conditions that influence these decisions.

What were the main findings regarding gender roles in pesticide decision-making?

In Cambodia, female farmers typically make pesticide decisions, especially when they have access to training and perceive higher damage from pests. In the Philippines, male farmers are more likely to make pesticide decisions, although females are involved in some cases, particularly when training opportunities are more accessible.

What were the key factors influencing pesticide-related decisions in both countries?

The key factors influencing pesticide decisions include the perceived damage caused by pests, the size of the maize area cultivated, the age of the farmer, and the access to training for both male and female farmers.

What are the recommended actions for Cambodia to improve gender equity in pest management?

The recommendations for Cambodia include scaling up women-focused training in pest management, leveraging perceptions of crop damage to encourage female participation in pest control programs, and integrating crop economics into training strategies to promote greater gender equity.

What is the recommendation for the Philippines regarding gender and pest management?

For the Philippines, the study recommends targeting women for training more aggressively, particularly in households with younger members, addressing cultural norms that reinforce male decision-making, and promoting household-level learning models that include both genders in training programs.

What is the future research direction suggested by the study?

The study suggests conducting in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with both male and female farmers to better understand the nuances of pesticide decision-making within households, exploring power dynamics, communication patterns, and how training influences participation.

What was the role of gender in the agricultural practices observed in the study?

Gender played a significant role in agricultural practices, as women and men often had different responsibilities and decision-making powers. The study highlighted how gender influenced roles in pest control, with women often being involved in decision-making in Cambodia, but less so in the Philippines where men primarily took charge.

What interdisciplinary benefits did the researchers gain from this study?

The researchers gained valuable interdisciplinary insights by integrating social science concepts, particularly gender studies, into agricultural pest management. This helped them develop more inclusive strategies for pest management and gender-sensitive training.