Gender-responsive approaches for enhancing the adoption of improved maize seed in Africa: a training manual for seed companies

Abstract

This manual is intended to help seed companies in Africa have a better understanding of the importance of gender for their business. It provides practical suggestions on how gender can be integrated into various aspects of seed business operations to improve their functions. Although the manual focuses on maize, the concepts, guidelines and suggestions apply to other crops. The first section explains what gender means and why it is important for agriculture and seed businesses in Africa. The second section discusses how gender can be integrated in the multiplication, promotion and distribution of improved maize seed. The third section looks beyond operations to explore why and how seed companies can be gender sensitive in the area of human resources