As part of the integration of their research for development (R4D) activities, IITA-Kalambo and the Catholic Archdiocese of Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have initiated a joint program to pursue agricultural R4D to improve the livelihoods of farmers. Implemented under the framework of Humidtropics, the program involves women and youth in agricultural research, capacity development and Farmer Field Schools. The Archdiocese has made land available to establish R4D farm trials, using them as a basis for training women farmers and youth in different agricultural enterprises with … [Read more...]
Lights, Camera, Action: Participatory Video in Nicaragua
Participatory Video (PV) is a participatory research tool that involves the alternative application of video technology in research for development projects to include members of a community in the process of creating their own video, while considering elements of their livelihoods and the necessary approaches to bring about desired changes. Aside from being an accessible way to bring people together to explore issues and voice concerns, PV is an effective tool to engage and mobilize marginalized communities, allowing them to share knowledge and learning experiences, and helping them to … [Read more...]
Public Policies and their Influence on Rural Women’s Agency
The phenomenon of single women and female heads of household is widespread in the Nicaraguan countryside. It is estimated that 34% of rural households are headed by women and this proportion increases in the poorest strata. The participation of women in productive agricultural activities also increases with the degree of poverty and can make up more than 50% of the workforce. In spite of the massive participation of rural women in productive processes, rural women’s access to productive assets such as land, credit, technical assistance, and inputs remains marginal in most of the regions of … [Read more...]