WOMEN FARMERS, AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AND ACCESS TO IMPROVED CROP GENETIC TECHNOLOGIES: A REVIEW

Abstract

Women play a vital role in agriculture through crop production, seed selection, livestock management, post harvest activities, household nutrition and conservation of plant genetic resources. However, women farmers often face gender-based constraints in accessing land, credit, markets, agricultural extension, information, quality seed and improved crop technologies. Improved crop genetic technologies, including high-yielding, disease- and pest resistant, drought- and heat-tolerant, early-maturing and nutritionally enhanced varieties, can contribute significantly to productivity, food security, income generation and climate resilience. Nevertheless, technological availability alone does not guarantee adoption or benefits among women farmers. Access to information, financial resources, inputs, markets and household decision-making strongly influences technology uptake. Gender responsive agricultural extension can help overcome these barriers by linking women farmers with researchers, breeders, seed producers, input suppliers and markets. Approaches such as participatory varietal selection, farmer field schools, women extension workers, self-help groups, community seed systems, farmer-to-farmer learning and digital advisory services can strengthen women's participation in agricultural innovation. This review highlights the need to recognize women as active partners in crop breeding, varietal evaluation, seed production, technology dissemination and agricultural decision-making. Integrating gender-responsive extension, marketing and seed systems with improved crop genetic technologies can promote more inclusive, productive, resilient and sustainable agricultural development.