News in brief:
– A new study highlights gender disparities in Nigeria’s maize industry and how it could limit the involvement of women farmers.
– Researchers urge breeding programmes to integrate indigenous knowledge and gender-responsive approaches to ensure all farmers benefit.
A recent study on Nigeria’s maize industry, which plays a vital role in food security and economic growth, reveals persistent gender disparities limiting productivity and equitable access to resources.
Women, who make up a significant portion of smallholder farmers, often face challenges in land ownership, credit access, and agricultural decision-making, hindering their ability to adopt improved maize varieties.
However, the challenges do not stop there. The research, conducted by IITA–CGIAR scientists also shows that the technology that is supposed to power the next generation is not considering women’s needs.
Gendered preferences in maize breeding
Farmers’ indigenous knowledge and traditional practices play a crucial role in sustaining crop diversity, and integrating this expertise into breeding strategies could lead to more widely accepted maize varieties.
The review examined various studies on gendered maize preferences across Nigeria. It reveals differences in trait preferences between men, women, and younger farmers.
Men generally favour traits such as large cobs, full grains, and high market value, while women prioritise nutrient-fortified seeds, high yield, and ease of processing. Young farmers prefer early-maturing and low-input varieties.
Despite these insights, many breeding programmes assume trait preferences without directly engaging farmers—especially women—who are often excluded from decision-making processes.
Key challenges in achieving gender-inclusive maize breeding
One of the major barriers to gender-inclusive maize breeding is the disconnection between research priorities and farmers’ real-world experiences. Most studies focus on trait preferences or access to improved varieties but rarely consider both. Furthermore, women are frequently left out of training and extension services, limiting their knowledge of improved maize varieties and restricting their ability to benefit from them.
To bridge these gaps, the experts propose several key methods:
- Researchers should engage men and women in the early stages of developing new varieties to ensure that the products meet diverse agricultural and household needs.
- Plant breeders and ethnobotanists should collaborate more to help incorporate traditional knowledge into breeding efforts, to suit farmers’ realities better.
- Breeding programmes should include social scientists, government agencies, and civil society organisations to reduce structural barriers that limit women’s access to improved maize varieties.
- Programmes should target enhancing women’s access to training, extension services, and credit facilities, empowering them to make informed decisions about maize production.
- Access to quality seeds should be expanded through targeted policies and inclusive dissemination campaigns can ensure that all farmers, regardless of gender, benefit from improved maize varieties.
Nigeria can maximise the benefits of maize breeding programmes if key players recognise and address gender disparities in agricultural research and extension services. They can enhance food security, increase farm productivity, and drive economic growth for all maize farmers.
