1. Strategies in increasing women’s participation in commodity value chain development: Lesson from IPMS Experiences Lemlem Aregu and Ranjitha Puskur Gender and Market Oriented Agriculture workshop, ILRI Jan 31 st, 2011 Addis Ababa

2. 1. Introduction IPMS is a five year CIDA funded project, started its implementation in 2005 Implemented by ILRI on behalf of MoARD In 10 PLWs (Pilot Learning Woredas); In 4 Regions Tigray: Atsbi and Alamata Amhara: Metema, Fogera and Bure Oromia: Goma, Ada’a and Meisso SNNPR : Alaba and Dale Participatory commodity development using a value chain approach (production, input and output marketing, rural finance) Gender, HIV/AIDS and Env’t are cross cutting issues Gender roles and responsibilities play determining roles in the production and marketing of agricultural commodities

3. 1. Introduction However, the introduction of new technologies and practices often either disregards the gender consequences or many benefits bypass women including business development services, training and credit. This has implications not only for equity, but also may be detrimental to the long-term sustainability of commercialization. IPMS took steps to mainstream gender Developed gender strategy Collected and analysed Gender baseline infn Raised the awareness of partners on gender Prepared gender action plans in each PLW Provided gender training to the frontline workers IPMS also Identified and employed a number of approaches and strategies to promote gender equality in commodity value chain development However, the introduction of new technologies and practices often either disregards the gender consequences or many benefits bypass women including business development services, training and credit. This has implications not only for equity, but also may be detrimental to the long-term sustainability of commercialization. IPMS took steps to mainstream gender Developed gender strategy Collected and analysed Gender baseline infn Raised the awareness of partners on gender Prepared gender action plans in each PLW Provided gender training to the frontline workers IPMS also Identified and employed a number of approaches and strategies to promote gender equality in commodity value chain development

4. 2. Methods and Process Gender disaggregated information on priority commodity have been collected and analyzed using PRA at the initial stage of the project Gender commodity fact sheets have been produced The findings were also shared with partners Individual case studies have been conducted to assess d/f approaches used to increase women’s participation M & E report of the project was also reviewed Annual review meetings used to share the experience among PLWs Individual case story illustrated the strategy is published as a draft case book

5. 3. Approaches used to increase women’s participation in commodity value chain development ? Poultry in Atsbi, Bure, Goma and Dale Dairy in Atsbi, Alamata and Ada Ensured a reasonable proportion of women are targeted and benefited Found to be easy to target women in women dominated commodity 3.1 Introduction of technologies for commodities which women hold more stake in 3.2 Looking for technologies and commodities required lower amounts of resources It will be practically impossible and long way to engage women in CD specially male headed household Because women have no or limited control power over the important agricultural resources (land and farm tools) improved fruit seedling production for market in Goma, Bure & Dale They produced a hundreds of seedlings in a plot of land

6. 3. Approaches used to increase women’s participation in commodity value chain development Vegetable in Atsbi, Alamata, Fogera, Meisso and Ada Small ruminants in Atsbi, Metema, Bure, Meisso & Goma Although women contributed for the production they don’t control the income Women enjoyed the income and benefit from commodities they share responsibilities though they were not reward before 3.3 Target women on commodity they share responsibilities though not reward 3.4 See opportunities to target women in male dominated enterprises Apiculture in Ada, Fogera and Alaba Strictly keep out women away production & marketing of honey B/c in the traditional system the beehives have to be hanged up on the tips of the tree branches preferable in the forest However in the modern bee keeping system, the modern and the transitional beehives can be kept around the homestead

7. 4.identification and promotion of labor saving technologies The 3-4 times ploughing reduced to one time ploughing and replaced by application of herbicides for weed clearing CT Helps women to minimize their labour requirement for hiring or lending land for labour and oxen. Conservation Tillage- in Bure and Metema - Weed Control Herbicides- in Metema Weeding is a tedious and time consuming production activities that women have more involvement in it Contribute to save the women’s labour and time for other productive and household activities. LSTs bring a ray of hope to the women that lead them engagement to commodity development

8. 5. Strategise used to increase women’s Access to knowledge and services for VCD Training held near to the village & Convenient time of the day to women Helped women to have attentive participation in the trainings Couples training- In Ada, Fogera, Bure and Alaba Importance of venue and timing of training- in all PLWs Both husbands and wives trained together Widen up opportunity for women to have access for information Experience sharing events Credit- Inspired many women to use new technologies and engaged in VCD in all PLWs The majority of women who trained in CVC linked with MFI and provided with loan

9. 6.Implication for scaling up it is important to take all the steps towards addressing the issue of gender Gender strategy Gender analysis Gender action plan Build the capacity of practioners It is also important to use a combination of approaches and strategies to target women in value chain women dominated commodities Shared commodities Men dominated commodities Complimentary supports are also paramount for their success Provision of knowledge and skill on production and marketing of commodities Provision of credit

10. Thank you!