Southeast Asia Gender & IPM Skills Capability Course Project Presentations: Project 6

Summary

This research presents a tool for understanding gender roles in coconut farming households and their impact on pest management. Conducted across the Philippines, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea, the study reveals distinct gender dynamics, such as the unequal distribution of tasks and knowledge gaps in pest control. Key findings show that while men dominate pest management roles, both men and women actively participate in farming activities. The study recommends equal access to training, joint decision-making, and culturally sensitive interventions to improve pest management outcomes and promote gender equality in coconut farming.

Takeaways

• 😀 The research project focuses on gender dynamics in coconut farming households and its implications for pest management, with contributions from researchers in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.
• 😀 Coconut farming is a significant livelihood for millions, but it faces major challenges such as pests, diseases, climate change, and unstable market conditions.
• 😀 The study aims to develop a tool for identifying gender roles in coconut farming households, to enable gender-responsive pest management interventions.
• 😀 The research was conducted in three major coconut-producing regions: Luzon and Visayas in the Philippines, North Sumatra in Indonesia, and Madang in Papua New Guinea.
• 😀 Gender roles in pest management are crucial, as distinct but interconnected roles of men and women were observed across the study sites.
• 😀 Most respondents in the study were male, with male-headed households dominating in all sites, although Visayas had a higher proportion of joint-headed households.
• 😀 Farmers in North Sumatra rely heavily on experiential knowledge and pesticides for pest management, with little adoption of biological or cultural control methods.
• 😀 Coconut farming is aging, as most farmers are in the 46-60 years age group, which may impact long-term sustainability and innovation in farming practices.
• 😀 Despite the gender differences in perceived roles, women in all regions are more involved in tasks such as watering, weeding, sap processing, and mature nut processing than initially thought.
• 😀 Gender differences in pest management show that men predominantly identify pest issues, but women are more involved in diagnosing and implementing cultural control measures.
• 😀 Key recommendations include providing equal access to training for both men and women, promoting joint decision-making in pest management, and respecting cultural contexts when designing interventions.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the research presented in the transcript?

The research focuses on the development of a survey tool to understand gender dynamics in coconut farming households, particularly in pest management and the implications for best management practices.

Which countries were involved in the research study?

The research study involved participants from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.

What are the major challenges faced by the coconut farming industry, as discussed in the presentation?

The major challenges include pest and disease infestations, climate change, unstable market conditions, and gender roles in pest management, which are often overlooked.

What was the objective of the survey tool developed in the research?

The objective was to identify gender roles in coconut farming households and to create gender-responsive pest management interventions that would generate data on roles, responsibilities, knowledge, attitudes, and practices of both men and women.

How was the survey tool validated and tested before being used in the research?

The survey tool was pilot-tested, validated, and translated into local languages to ensure its effectiveness and relevance before conducting the survey.

What were the findings regarding the gender distribution in coconut farming households?

The findings showed that most respondents were male, with a male-to-female ratio of 9:1. Most households were male-headed, but the Bisayas region had the highest proportion of joint-headed households, indicating a more collaborative approach to decision-making.

What was the main pest management practice followed by farmers in Northern Sumatra?

In Northern Sumatra, farmers relied on experiential knowledge for pest management and primarily used pesticides, but did not adopt biological or cultural control methods.

How do gender roles influence pest management tasks, according to the study?

Gender roles affect pest management tasks, with men typically taking the lead in pest identification and management, while women are more involved in tasks like watering, weeding, and cultural control. However, women farmers consider pest management as a joint responsibility.

What recommendation was made regarding gender equality in training for pest management?

The recommendation is to ensure equal access to training for both men and women by conducting household-based invitations, offering flexible schedules, and providing materials in local languages. It also suggests engaging female facilitators to make women feel more included.

What are some future directions for further research suggested by the study?

Future research directions include expanding the geographic scope, exploring the roles of youth and intergenerational dynamics, examining gender and technology adoption, and further investigating cultural contexts.