gender matters in agroforestry in dry and degraded lands

Key highlights

Gender matters: trees, forests, agroforestry.

Tenure and access rights demands attention.

Dryland agroforestry our future priority.

For example: India, Gran Chaco and Sahel region

Gender equity

Gender equity includes

race, ethnicity, language, socio-economic status, disability orany other diversities

that defines our individualidentity.

Empirical evidence on..

¿ What does agroforestry in dry and degraded lands mean for smallholders?

¿ Why gender equity in agroforestry matters?

¿ How local democratic governance influence gender in agroforestry?

Research Area: semi-arid

tribal India

Dryland agroforestry: viable option

Tenure insecurity; small holders (2acres)

Climate variability; seasonal migration

Planting trees a way to claim boundary

Gender equity: tenure and access

245 hh: 85% women lack tenure rights

Elder women have more access to fruit trees, fodder shrubs, and fuel wood

Rules on access to resources changes during crisis or opportunity

- Climate variability

- Value chain (processed fruits; jatropha)

Decision-making in agroforestryRoles and responsibilities Men/Women/ Joint Vulnerability

Managing fodder shrubs 55% joint32% women

women lead in managing shrubs in consultation

Soil fertility improvements 68% joint and 20% men Women lack of knowledge

Fuel wood management 65% women and 21% men Selection of species and management by women

Fruits and crop production 67% joint and 26% men Frequent drought and market fluctuation = joint

Vegetable garden 72% women Daily livelihood food security & men migration

Fencing 35% joint 30% men Depend on tenure rights;exclusion of pastoralists

Sale and marketing 45% joint New arena for both

Information sharing 67% women Social safety net

Capacity-building on agrofo 43% men Migration = women active

Technological adaptation 66% men Men are targeted

Political participation

• At democratic local governance women are passive participants though the ‘quota’ give them 35% political space. Elite women are active.

• At household level, in crisis situation, men and women play critical role in agroforestrymanagement.

• Women are active in negotiating marketing deals.

Discussion

• Smallholders income increase (men benefit)

• Gendered risk- when value of product increases men takeover business from women

• Agroforestry has high potential when men and women are involved in technological adaptation, marketing and benefit-sharing.

Thank you

E-mail: p.bose@cgiar.org

CIAT’s focal contact for gender as a cross-cutting theme for Forests, Trees, and Agroforestry

Conceptual framework

- Identity and Recognition

Fraser (2000): Forms of identity are constructed through interaction of self-identity (individual adopts to get recognition), and external identity (reinforced by dominant group)

and

- Decision making and Gender equity