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From Working in the Wheat Field to Managing Wheat: Women Innovators in Nepal

Author

Listed:
  • Cathy Rozel Farnworth

    (Pandia Consulting)

  • Tahseen Jafry

    (Glasgow Caledonian University)

  • Kanchan Lama

    (Women Leading for Change in NRM (WLCN-Nepal)
    Women Organizing for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management (WOCAN))

  • Sushila Chatterjee Nepali

    (Women Organizing for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management (WOCAN)
    Future Generations University
    Tribhuvan University)

  • Lone B. Badstue

    (CIMMYT)

Abstract

There is very little research on women in wheat in Nepal, and wheat is still considered a ‘man’s crop’. Consequently, extension services rarely target women, and women are not considered as innovators. However, research conducted in the Terai plains in 2014/15 shows that women are innovating in wheat to the extent that wheat farming is experiencing a shift from feminisation of agricultural labour towards women taking control over decision-making. Processes accounting for this include male outmigration, non-governmental organisation (NGO) work on promoting women’s equality which has developed women’s confidence, individual support from extension agents and strong cooperation between women to foster each other’s ‘innovation journeys’. Women who lived in seclusion 10 years ago are receiving recognition within their families and communities. This article provides recommendations for researchers, rural advisory services and other partners to bring their work in alignment with the realities of women wheat innovators.

Suggested Citation

  • Cathy Rozel Farnworth & Tahseen Jafry & Kanchan Lama & Sushila Chatterjee Nepali & Lone B. Badstue, 2019. "From Working in the Wheat Field to Managing Wheat: Women Innovators in Nepal," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 31(2), pages 293-313, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:eurjdr:v:31:y:2019:i:2:d:10.1057_s41287-018-0153-4
    DOI: 10.1057/s41287-018-0153-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    4. Muhammad Ramzan Sheikh & Fatima Farooq & Hina Ali & Sana Khalid, 2022. "Women’s Time Allocation in Agricultural Activities in Tehsil Mian Channu, Pakistan: An Economic Analysis," iRASD Journal of Economics, International Research Alliance for Sustainable Development (iRASD), vol. 4(2), pages 296-309, June.
    5. Diana E Lopez & Romain Frelat & Lone B Badstue, 2022. "Towards gender-inclusive innovation: Assessing local conditions for agricultural targeting," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(3), pages 1-25, March.
    6. Bhawana, KC & Race, Digby, 2020. "Women’s approach to farming in the context of feminization of agriculture: A case study from the middle hills of Nepal," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 20(C).

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