Developing the capacity of extension officers and their organizations to train, work with and support women farmers
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Solution Scenario Concept: Extension systems’ widespread neglect of women farmers can be reversed through changes in attitudes of extension personnel and the structures and processes within agricultural institutions to assist them to become accountable to women farmers. While there is ample evidence that women extension professionals are more effective than male professionals in communicating and servicing women farmers, the small numbers of women extension agents (a global average of 15 % according to FAO) requires a strategy that enables male agents to service women farmers as well. This requires a two pronged approach that: builds the skills and changes attitudes of the professionals; and facilitates a process of organizational change to create an enabling environment that supports gender equity and is responsive to the needs of women farmers. Skill building for female and male extension officers on gender, leadership, negotiation, adult literacy, information management, communication and training can develop their abilities to train, work with and support women farmers while simultaneously acting as internal change agents to facilitate processes of change within their organizations. Our hypotheses is that both men and women extension professionals, if provided with suitable, gender-sensitive organizational support, skills and ICT resources, and made accountable for reaching women farmers will deliver better services to women farmers and groups. This Solution would transform existing extension systems to be accountable to women farmers.