Gender Dynamics in Seed Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa and Worldwide Lessons Workshop: report of proceedings of the Multi-stakeholder Technical Workshop

Abstract

Seed is life. Seed systems are complex and multilayered, involving diverse interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral actors in multiple fronts, from seed conservation to multiplication; improved breeding; regulatory sanitary and phytosanitary measures (for safety and quality assurance); and distribution and sale. Seed systems are also highly dynamic, constantly forming and reforming. The gender challenge then is to first clearly understand how these dynamics affect women, youth, men and other marginalized groups, and then to ensure that these shifting dynamics and end-results do not however widen the gaps, especially by gender. Thus, the Gender Dynamics in Seed Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa and Worldwide Lessons Workshop was convened on 2nd December 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya, to examine this challenge, and how to address it. Main objectives were to share research findings on gender and seed-systems research, to discuss lessons learned by researchers and development practitioners operating in the nexus of gender and seed systems, to identify knowledge gaps and to exchange ideas on promising – and implementable – interventions and approaches that expand opportunities for women in the seed sector. From the workshop deliberations, it emerged that funders such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and USAID have invested heavily in breeding improved crops that are tailored to agro-ecological zones primarily targeting farmers who continue to use and recycle unimproved seeds. Nevertheless, much more remains to be done in gender responsiveness to more precisely address distinct variety preferences by women and men farmers. This calls for more research funding to enable gender and social scientists to work with breeders, food technologists, nutritionists and marketers in an integrated manner, right from breeding to product development and market studies. Moreover, although notable progress has been made in parts of Africa on women’s participation and involvement in agri-business and crop science, much more needs to be done to increase the numbers of women and to substantively deepen their involvement in the seed sector. Interventions to support women in the seed-sector business and/or science should be broad and far-reaching, focusing on the entire seed value chain. There is an urgent need to provide facilitative information and support to smallholders – particularly women and youth – and to assist womenowned micro-enterprises to access opportunities in existing affirmative-action policies and programs. For instance, the Kenya government is implementing an affirmative-action policy to preferentially award 30% of tenders in each government ministry to businesses owned by women, youth and persons with disabilities. This policy was supposed to empower women across all categories, but thus far, smallholder women farmers and women-owned micro-enterprises have not taken full advantage of this opportunity, as they are unaware of this policy. Besides the barriers to actively engage in the seed business sector, women also face numerous barriers in adopting improved seeds. One solution is gendertransformative approaches that empower women to take charge of their own destiny in addressing their food-security needs and problems. The youth also face barriers similar to women, meaning young women are up against a double barrier, being both women and youth at the same time. As such, gender-responsive seed value chains must necessarily also be youth-responsive as well, to ensure that this ultra-vulnerable, doubly burdened and potentially very productive critical core group is not left behind. Studies have shown that women play a major role in agriculture in Africa, and the value of catching them while young is inestimable and exponential. Fake seeds persist and seed quality-control standards remain weak. Even then, seed-import policies and regulations are not business-friendly due to the multiple clearances required by and through different government agencies. Main workshop achievements were deepening interdisciplinary links amongst various actors and organizations in a position to influence gender dynamics within the seed systems, identifying the gender research gaps in seed systems, investment and policy priorities, and launching a Gender and Seed Systems Community of Practice for continued post-conference dialogue on this critical topic to enhance and sustain greater food security right at the heart and very foundation of agricultural production – seed systems