This debate is now closed.
Does Africa devalue its women farmers?
Women farmers produce up to 80% of food in developing nations according to the charity, Concern Worldwide. But is this key role acknowledged in Africa?
Concern argues the needs of women are not considered when governments and other funders develop agricultural policies.
Moreover, in traditional societies it is the men who represent women farmers at meetings and gain access to training and seeds.
Should we give our women farmers the power to make their own decisions?
When you think of farmers, do you think of women or men? Do you know who produces your food? If you are a woman farmer, what problems do you face? Should governments develop agricultural policy around the needs of women? Send us your views.
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Published:
Tuesday, 3 November, 2009, 14:37 GMT
14:37 UK
All comments as they come in
Added:
Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 16:00 GMT
16:00 UK
When I was a kid and I heard about famers, all i thought it was all a male stuff. when I grew up, I realize that it is mix gendered sut specialization is required..mafority of the bannanas, okras. oranges, bread fruit on ur Liberia market are produce from our female farmers. I respect their proffession and they are really catering to our needs..
Chrispin Williams, University Of Liberia
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Added:
Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 15:37 GMT
15:37 UK
NGO in Africa is cool legit scam. They waste millions of dollars on frivilous, out of this world salary... hire "consultants" at abominable rate. These "consultants" of course would at least pretend they are working... that's why we get these bogus reports.
In any case it is not the fault of NGOS; it is an indictment of us Africans who have refused to build strong insitutions to handle our socio-economic needs. Who would listen to NGO if (for example) Nigeria has reliable stats on farmers.
Eziokwu Bu Ndu, Nigeria
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Added:
Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 15:27 GMT
15:27 UK
80% is quite on the high side I believe the contribution of Women in terms of Food production is significantly higher than that of men ,but 80%?!!! I am really interested in the methodology employed by the reseachers, how many countries were involved?
Bashir Musa, Gombe, Nigeria
The point is why should anyone in his right mind listen to what NGOS have to say in Africa. They drove us into the ditch we are in today. Remember when they said IMF was the only way forward? See what IMF did.
Ekene, Nigeria
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Added:
Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 15:08 GMT
15:08 UK
Most african women farmers toil to plant, weed and harvest crops but hardly participate in selling these crops. This is because the majority of women donot own land. They have acess to land but lack control over it.The men sell and in most cases, the women are not given money commensurate to their toil . Usually, most men use the money to drink, marry other women and other things.
Women need to be empowered to form or join marketing cooperatives in order to have a say in setting prices of crops.
Bern Katana, Arua, Uganda
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Added:
Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 15:04 GMT
15:04 UK
Women are really doing great, we recognise their role.
Its just that they are at home most times and men are busy in offices.
KWAME MVULA, BLANTYRE, MALAWI
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Added:
Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 14:56 GMT
14:56 UK
Apparently the writer(s) of the said report do not really know African farming trends. Farming in Africa is largely subsistence, labor intensive family undertaking. The initial phase – clearing and tilling are back breaking, usually done by every one – father, mother, son, daughter – and in some cases hired hands.
After tilling and planting the men usually move on to do other things like fishing, construction, etc leaving women and kids to weed and tend the farm until harvest. Dubious report!
EE, Nigerian Voice
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Added:
Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 14:24 GMT
14:24 UK
It should never be a case of gender, but WHAT the person does! If we all valued that, there would be a lot less problems in the world!
[DeadHonest1962], Dorking, United Kingdom
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Added:
Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 13:31 GMT
13:31 UK
In the african society male is the head of the family and will therefore represent women in meetings e.t.c. Having said that, farming is a collective family responsibilty and everyone has a role to play. Culture dictates the roles of male and female and the responsibilities of each member of the family. Africans do respect their women, and some restrictive traditions are on the decline. Its for common good if more is done to empower the african woman given her important role in the society.
Daniel, Dubai; UAE
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Added:
Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 13:28 GMT
13:28 UK
Welcome to Africa. Africa devalues everything not just women farmers. It is a continent rich in human and natural resorces yet she is a beggar. Until the continent realize that we need to wake up now so that tommorrow will be better then, not only the female farmers are in trouble but, everyone is in trouble. May God help us all.
Adekunle Adeniran, Vienna, VA
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Added:
Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 12:48 GMT
12:48 UK
Well, Africa is a large continent with diverse cultures; however, in my country agricultural women have the same rights as men. Even men only have to do brushing of farms thereafter the rest of the work is left with the women including planting of crops. Then lastly harvesting men will once again be alongside with their wives in getting products from the farms.
Roland Y. Tarley, Richmond, VA
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Added:
Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 12:45 GMT
12:45 UK
women farmers are more respected they should be regarded as strong and loving mothers who would not let their children go hungry. For instance in jos here in nigeria, most farmers are women. Their husbands just go out to drink beer instead of going to the farm.
Gowon Danladi, Abuja Nigeria
Gowon Danladi, Abuja
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Added:
Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 12:44 GMT
12:44 UK
80% is quite on the high side I believe the contribution of Women in terms of Food production is significantly higher than that of men ,but 80%?!!! I am really interested in the methodology employed by the reseachers, how many countries were involved? etc to arrive at this conclusion.
Bashir Musa, Gombe, Nigeria
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Added:
Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 12:39 GMT
12:39 UK
Women's input to agricultural production in Africa is rarely discussed. I believe it is known that they play a key role but sometimes culture impedes their ability to get more recognition and value from their efforts. They should be included in policy matters and be given a bigger platform to voice their needs. I think this is especially important as the world begins to really look into matters of fair trade and other mechanisms to support farmers in developing countries.
Rachel, Stevenage
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Added:
Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 12:36 GMT
12:36 UK
SAPs (Structural Adjustment Programs) have sapped productivity across Africa. World Bank & IMF insist on "macroeconomic stability" of SAPs; translated this means western-capitalized stability of privitized businesses, reduced social programs, use of mega-land alottments & hiring men for literally peanuts do the slog work. Females have no place in SAPs.
Africans - male & female - should have the right to decide the use of African soil. Who's land is it anyway, & who will better tend it for God.
Regina-Gabrielle Berry, Toronto, Canada
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Added:
Wednesday, 4 November, 2009, 12:36 GMT
12:36 UK
initially they so much devalued in uganda but of late it has changed because of education and exposure brought about by the women emancipation campaign.
kiwanuka phillip james, jinja uganda
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DEBATE STATUS
Total comments: 49
Published comments: 46
Rejected comments: 3
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