Gender, smallholder livestock production, improvement and conservation in Africa
Journal Title: Scientific Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences - Year 2014, Vol 3, Issue 9
Abstract
Policy makers, developmental agents and researchers are now aware of the need to incorporate gender issues in smallholder livestock production planning and development in order to improve livestock productivity in Africa. This discussion attempt to explore the role of gender in smallholder livestock production,genetic improvement and conservation.Strategies to improve livestock production and conservation within the smallholder livestock sector will not be successful unless gender related issues are taken into account.Ownership of different livestock species by men and women in smallholder livestock production sector has been documented, often cattle and larger animals are owned by men, while goat keeping and backyard poultry production are largely women's domains. Therefore, it is assumed that taking cognizance of gender differentials in smallholder livestock production intervention programs will result in effectively implementation of livestockdevelopment programs ensuring more optimal outcomes. The rationale for gender integration in livestock improvement and conservation is driven by the fact that different household members typically hold different livestock responsibilities; they also may have different livestock priorities and livestock production constraints. Gender sensitive livestock policy initiatives such as training women in livestock improvement and conservation in smallholder livestock production sector should be adopted in order to address specific concerns and priorities of women as major stakeholders in livestock production.Gendered asymmetries in access to livestock and services not only do a great disservice to women and men livestock smallholder farmers, but they also stifle the potential for more sustainable and effective actions along a given livestock improvement program. In most cases , where livestock improvement and conservation programs are being carried out, the lack of gender consideration constrains the development of holistic approaches to achieve desirable goals.
Authors and Affiliations
N. Assan| Zimbabwe Open University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Agriculture Management, Bulawayo Region, Box 3550, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP409
- DOI 10.14196/sjpas.v3i9.1442
- Views 415
- Downloads 19
Effect of raw diatomaceous earth and plant powders on Callosobruchus subinnotatus (Pic.) infesting stored bambara ground
Experiments were conducted on the efficacy of raw DE and plant powders (Jatropha curcas seed and leaf powders of Eucalyptus and Ricinus) for their insecticidal potential against Callosobruchus subinnotatus infesting st...
Experimental investigation of the performance of a ground-source heat pump system for buildings heating and cooling
Geothermal heat pumps (GSHPs), or direct expansion (DX) ground source heat pumps, are a highly efficient renewable energy technology, which uses the earth, groundwater or surface water as a heat source when operating i...
Discourse analysis of sex stories in a pornographic site in Iran
Internet pornography As A controversial issue and important problem on Different communities particularly on the value-based community and Muslim countries were introduced. And behavioral science experts with extensi...
Mapping the development of Chinese journalism education: progress, problems and prospects
Chinese Journalism education has gone throughrapid development in terms of curriculum setting, student enrolment, as well asits cooperation with the media industry during the past decades. However it haslong been criti...
Pyroelectric study of Mongolian tourmaline in electric power saving system by infrared spectroscopy
This Fourier Transformation Infrared (FTIR) experiment investigates the relevance of H2O and other components’ structural environments. The electronic power saving system in this study was compromised by four element m...