Women as Drivers of Change for Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture: Case Study of a Novel Extension Approach in Wardha, India

TitleWomen as Drivers of Change for Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture: Case Study of a Novel Extension Approach in Wardha, India
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2018
AuthorsRukmani R, Gopinath R, Anuradha G, Sanjeev R, Yadav VKumar
JournalSpringer
KeywordsWomen farmers; women empowerment; Nutrition-sensitive agriculture; Consumption diversity; Mixed cropping
Abstract

What can a case study of an initiative for empowerment of women farmers tell us about nutrition-sensitive agriculture? Through this case study, the paper highlights how women farmers act as drivers of change and manage to bring about production and consumption diversity, even in a cash crop growing region; how women farmers' group serve asimportant social networks in aiding the spread of these changes; and how bundling of women's empowerment programmes with agricultural extension has the potential to promote nutrition-sensitive farming. The spread of mixed cropping practices among women farmers was crucially related to the context-specific technical guidance that was provided. Women farmers adopted different cropping pattern designs, integrating pulses, millets and vegetables with cotton/soyabean as main crops. They perceived tangible benefits in terms of enhanced availability of food grains and vegetables for household consumption through mixed cropping practices. The pepper brings to light the need for the State to strenghen the agricultural extension system for scaling up nutritition-sensitive agricultural pracices among small farmers.

Publisher Category: 
Department: