Gender Dynamics in Fodder Seed Systems: Evidence from East Africa - PowerPoint Presentation

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Gender Dynamics in Fodder Seed Systems: Evidence from East Africa

Birhanu

Lenjiso

Policies, Institutions and Livelihoods, ILRI

Presentation for the Gender in Seed System  WorkshopSeptember 19-21, 2018Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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Background

Livestock contributes to the livelihoods and food security of over 60 million people in East Africa.Low quality/quantity of feed resources is constraint

to improving the productivity of livestock in the region

Improved feed technologies has been introduced to improve livestock productivityBut farmers in general & female farmers in particular have limited access to innovation information & fodder seeds

As the result, fodder technology adoption is still at its lowest stage in the region

Seed SystemSeed is central in agricultural

productionIt is a powerful agent of change in agricultural system  

Seed system –

the rule that govern access to & use of seed Like any other agricultural resource, the seed system is governed by formal & informal rules Male & female farmers may face different challenges in accessing

seeds Some of these challenges relates to the gender norms And these study aims to understand the gendered constraints in fodder seed systems

Main Research QuestionsHow do men and women define quality fodder seed? How and where women

and men source their fodder seed? What constraints do they face in accessing fodder seeds? Is there a gender difference in terms of trust on different sources of fodder seed and seed systems?

How

can gender preferences be mainstreamed in fodder seed system?

Study Site

DataWe have conducted 12 gender differentiated focus group discussion

&Participatory species/variety and trait ranking in 6 villages /3 regions in Kenya

We used Nvivo to analyze the information

Results: Fodder Species/Varieties

Quality Seed

Limited information about fodder innovationQuality fodder seed is defined based on fodder trait preferences“Quality fodder seed is the one that you cut from

small portion of the farm and get more fodder with thick stems and broad

leaves, and the cows give more milk when they fed on fodder from quality fodder seeds” Female Participant from Raiter B“Quality fodder is that adapt to our areas, resistant to drought and disease and can be stored for dry season” – Male Participant from Lower

Gathundia

Fodder Species/Variety Ranking

Raiter

B (V 1)Lower

Gathundia (V2)Kiore (V3)WomenMenWomenMen

WomenMenNew Napier New NapierSorghum Oats

Bomo RohdasKikuyu GrassNapier (KK2)

DesmodiumDesmodiumYellow MaizNapier (KK2)Napier (KK2)

Kikuyu Grass

----Napier (KK2)Sorghum OatsBoma Rohdas

Napier (KK1)

Major Categories of Fodder TraitsTwo major categorizes of fodder trait preferences

:Productivity traits preferences

–

traits preferences related to fodder productivity and its effect on milk productionRole traits preferences – traits preferences related to men`s and women`s role in fodder production and harvesting

Productivity vs Role TraitsProductivity traits:

Mostly emphasized by male farmers, but also considered by womeneffect on milk production, drought/disease resistance,

storability &

biomassRole Traits :Mostly emphasized by women farmers width of leaves (biomass)Strength of stems (use as cow shelter, fuel wood etc)

handy for harvest (previous variety has sharp edge)  

Diagrammatic

Fodder Seed sourcesFormal Seed Sources:Kenyan agricultural Research organization (main source)

Dairy cooperatives Agrovet shopsInformal Seed Sources:NeighborsFriendsRelatives

Status of fodder seed

Information/SeedStatusAvailability

There is shortage of planting materials in the communities Old Napier varieties is relatively available/accessible in the communities, the most widely grown

Major constraint to both male and female farmersAccessibility Limited access to innovation information & seedThe formal seed system is less accessible to female farmersThere is no clear seed delivery channel There is emerging market for seed, but the price is highWomen`s demand for seed is relatively high, but they often access it through male

Quality (Meaning)Farmers have limited information about fodder varietiesMostly women engage in fodder production, but both men & women believe men have better knowledge about fodder traits, seed quality and involve in fodder seed selection. Seed quality is defined based on fodder trait preferences

Napier: Relatively Available & Accessible

Napier is the most widely grown fodder

Propagates vegetatively & through seed

Napier StrengthGives good biomassRegrowDrought & disease resistantControl soil erosionNapier WeaknessGood as feed but not good for milk production

ConclusionMostly women engage in fodder production, believed men have better knowledge about

fodder quality, traits and engage seed selectionProductivity traits influence seed selection & role trait are less consideredInformal seed channel is the major and trusted source of fodder seed in the study

villagesAvailability & accessibility of fodder seed and farmer`s knowledge about fodder

quality is limited Fodder breeders – should target women`s fodder trait preference (role traits), increase their knowledge of seed quality and involve them in seed selection

Next StepsReplicating the same study in Ethiopia

Compare and see if the result is consistent Or whether country context make a differenceSee

This work is financed by CGIAR

It contributes to the CGIAR Research Program on Livestock

Acknowledgements

CRP and CG logos