Understanding gender dimensions of climate-smart agriculture adoption in disaster-prone smallholder farming communities in Malawi and Zambia
Disaster Prevention and Management
ISSN: 0965-3562
Article publication date: 2 April 2019
Issue publication date: 11 September 2019
Abstract
Purpose
Through the application of traditional and contemporary feminist theories in gender mainstreaming, the purpose of this paper is to contribute to emergent debate on gender dimensions in climate-smart agriculture (CSA) adoption by smallholder farmers in disaster-prone regions. This is important to ensure that CSA strategies are tailored to farmer-specific gender equality goals.
Design/methodology/approach
An exploratory-sequential mixed methods research design which is qualitatively biased was applied. Key informant interviews and farmer focus group discussions in two study sites formed initial qualitative phase whose findings were explored in a quantitative cross-sectional household survey.
Findings
Findings shared in this paper indicate the predominant application of traditional gender mainstreaming approaches in CSA focusing on parochial gender dichotomy. Qualitative findings highlight perceptions that western gender approaches are not fully applicable to local contexts and realities, with gender mainstreaming in CSA seemingly to fulfil donor requirements, and ignorant of the heterogeneous nature of social groups. Quantitative findings establish that married men are majority adopters and non-adopters of CSA, while dis-adopters are predominantly de jure female household heads. The latter are more likely to adopt CSA than married women whose main role in CSA is implementers of spouse’s decisions. Access to education, intra-household power relations, productive asset and land ownership are socio-cultural dynamics shaping farmer profiles.
Originality/value
By incorporating African feminisms and intersectionality in CSA, value of this study lies in recommending gender policy reforms incorporating local gender contexts within the African socio-cultural milieu. This paper accentuates potential benefits of innovative blend of both contemporary and classic gender mainstreaming approaches in CSA research, practice and technology development in disaster-prone regions.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper forms part of her PhD research on gendered approaches to disaster risk reduction, with focus on climate-smart agriculture adoption by small-holder farmers in disaster-prone regions. This research was supported by the Department of Science and Technology-National Research Foundation (DST-NRF) Centre for Excellence in Food Security. Appreciation goes to the research assistants, farmers, non-government organisations and government departments in Chikwawa and Gwembe who played different roles during the data collection stage of this study.
Citation
Khoza, S., Van Niekerk, D. and Nemakonde, L.D. (2019), "Understanding gender dimensions of climate-smart agriculture adoption in disaster-prone smallholder farming communities in Malawi and Zambia", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 28 No. 5, pp. 530-547. https://doi.org/10.1108/DPM-10-2018-0347
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited