Southeast Asia Gender & IPM Skills Capability Course Project Presentations: Project 1

Summary

This presentation explores how gender influences access to training in crop protection within corn and coconut farming systems. It highlights the significant roles of both men and women in farming, emphasizing the barriers women face, such as household duties and limited mobility, which hinder their participation in training programs. The study recommends creating more inclusive and flexible training opportunities, fostering gender-sensitive policies, and engaging youth to revitalize the sector. Additionally, it suggests further research into the effectiveness of gender-sensitive training and digital platforms for overcoming access barriers, aiming for more equitable farming communities.

Takeaways

• 😀 The study focuses on understanding how gender influences access to crop protection training in corn and coconut farming systems.
• 😀 Corn and coconut farming are central to rural life, and effective crop protection is vital for sustaining these farms.
• 😀 Two key training programs support farmers: the Farmer Scientist Training Program for corn farmers and the Farmers Field School for coconut farmers.
• 😀 There are gender differences in farming roles, with men primarily handling fieldwork and pesticide use, while women manage household duties and some farm tasks.
• 😀 Women face barriers like childcare, mobility, and cultural norms that limit their access to training and participation in pest management practices.
• 😀 In corn-based farming, women are actively involved in pest management and decision-making but face technological gaps, such as limited access to smartphones.
• 😀 In coconut-based farming, women are generally more involved in farm management but are still perceived as less involved in pesticide-related tasks.
• 😀 Women's roles in both farming systems are often underrecognized, and there is a need for gender-sensitive training to acknowledge their contributions in pest management.
• 😀 Recommendations include making training more accessible, flexible, and gender-sensitive, with tailored practical exercises and cost-saving strategies for both men and women.
• 😀 There is a need to engage youth in both farming sectors through targeted outreach and training programs to revitalize the sector and ensure its future sustainability.
• 😀 Future research should focus on gender-sensitive training programs, equitable gender divisions of labor, and the potential of digital platforms to overcome mobility and time barriers in training.

Q & A

What is the main goal of the study discussed in the presentation?

The main goal of the study is to understand how gender influences access to training in crop protection within Albay farming systems, specifically in corn and coconut farming.

What are the two main programs supporting training in crop protection?

The two main programs are the Farmer Scientist Training Program for corn farmers, which combines scientific knowledge with practical application, and the Farmers Field School for coconut farmers, which emphasizes best practices and farm management.

How do men's and women's roles differ in farming according to the study?

Men typically handle fieldwork and pesticide use, while women manage household tasks, gardens, and food processing. Women are also involved in deciding which pesticide products to use and handle post-use activities, although their contributions are often overlooked.

What barriers do women face when trying to access training programs in farming?

Women face barriers such as household duties, child care, low mobility, cultural norms, and limited access to technology, including smartphones, which hinder their participation in training programs.

What are the findings related to the involvement of women in pest management for cornbased farming?

In cornbased farming, while men are responsible for pesticide spraying and mixing, women actively seek information and support but face technological barriers. Their involvement in pest management and pesticide safety is often unrecognized, and they struggle with accessing training due to various social and cultural factors.

How do gender roles differ in coconut farming systems, and how does it affect training access?

In coconut farming systems, men are generally seen as responsible for pesticide use and weeding activities, while women are more involved in managing household finances and using coconuts for home consumption. Women have better access to smartphones and the internet but still face cultural expectations that limit their participation in technical training.

What is the study's recommendation for improving training in cornbased farming?

The study recommends making training more accessible and flexible with gender-sensitive options, including cost-saving strategies and practical exercises that cater to both men and women.

What is the recommendation for improving participation in coconut-based farming training?

The study recommends engaging youth in training initiatives, as participation among those under 30 is low, and promoting gender-sensitive training and policies that support joint farm management and female farmers in decision-making.

What key future research areas does the study suggest for improving gender equality in farming?

Future research could focus on exploring the impact of gender-sensitive farmer training programs on decision-making and farm productivity, investigating policies promoting equitable gender division of labor, and studying the potential of digital platforms to overcome barriers such as mobility and time constraints.

What challenges did the researchers face during their study, and how did they overcome them?

The researchers faced challenges such as setbacks that impacted the timeline of the study. Despite these setbacks, they successfully utilized survey data to enrich their findings and applied their learnings to improve the quality of their research.