Gender relationships in production and commercialization of potato seed with small-scale farmers in the Central Andes of Ecuador

Conlago, María; Montesdeoca, Fabián; Mayorga, Magdalena; Yumisaca, Fausto; Antezana, Ivonne; Andrade-Piedra, Jorge

Gender relationships in production and commercialization of potato seed with small-scale farmers in the Central Andes of Ecuador

Files

IDL-49124.pdf (54.47 KB)

Date

2010

Authors

Andrade-Piedra, Jorge

Abstract

A gender analysis was conducted in the central Andes of Ecuador with the following objectives (i) to identify and analyze gender relationships and benefits in potato seed producers of the farmers’ organization CONPAPA (Consorcio de la Papa) and (ii) to propose recommendations to improve the relationships among the actors of CONPAPA’s seed system. A rural participatory diagnostic with gender approach was used to gather information about general characteristics, participation in community activities, potato-related activities, decision making, and personal, family and unpaid activities. This method promoted reflection among farmers about their roles according to gender. Main conclusions were the following: first, women are a critical component for seed production in CONPAPA; second, women are being empowered by becoming part of CONPAPA seed producers groups; third, becoming part of the CONPAPA seed producers groups might be overloading women capacity; and fourth, men are still attending the most important events and are in charge of taking the most important decisions. Several recommendations were made. (i) take extra care on using training materials adapted for women and doing the training events in their native language; (ii) promote women access not only to knowledge, but also to other resources, mainly credit, so they can run their own businesses; (iii) practice affirmative action and promote women leadership; (iv) be aware that new activities could be overloading women capacity and, therefore, start the intervention with few and simple activities; and (v) make explicit the contribution made by women to specific activities.

Description

Meeting: 15th Triennial Symposium of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops (ISTRC)

Keywords

ANDES, WOMEN, GENDER ANALYSIS, ECUADOR, POTATOES, SEED POTATOES, RURAL CREDIT, WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE, WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT, INNOVATION, INNOVATION ADOPTION, ROOT CROPS, AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND POLICY, ACCESS TO INFORMATION, TRAINING, LIVELIHOODS