Negussie Zenna

Rice is the main staple for more than half of the world’s population. In Ghana, rice is the fastest growing food commodity, and it is consumed by almost every household. However, yields continue to be low, as the pace of adoption of new varieties is low. The low rate of adoption has been attributed to failure of modern breeding to incorporate preferred traits for end users. This study thus employed an innovative set of breeding tools, the G+ tools, in identifying gendered trait preferences to develop a robust product profile through a mixed-method approach. The assertion that “men focus more on production and marketing related traits as women focus on production and cooking qualities” was also ascertained. Descriptive, inferential and content analyses were conducted, and the results indicate ecological differences in varietal choices. Production and marketing traits are jointly preferred by the gender groups. However, women and young women paid attention to post-harvest and cooking quality traits. The gender impact scores generated indicated there are tradeoffs in the traits preferred. These findings highlight the significance of recognizing geographical differences and gender heterogeneity in relation to varietal and trait preferences. In conclusion, the outcomes emphasize the necessity of gender-sensitive breeding work that considers the various needs and trait priorities of targeted men and women rice farmers in breeding decisions for a robust rice product profile.

This paper examines the gendered trait preferences for rice and their role in the adoption of improved rice varieties among men and women rice farmers in Ghana. Four hundred rice farm households and 261 consumers were surveyed across 20 communities using a simple random sampling technique. Kendall’s coefficient of concordance, Tobit, and the multivariate probit regressions were used in the analyses. The results show differences in preferences for cooking quality traits and postharvest traits among men and women farmers. There was also a gender differential in the intensity of purchasing rice among men and women consumers. The results show that rice farmers’ decisions to adopt any of the four varieties—AGRA rice, Jasmine, Togo Marshall, or Amankwatia—are influenced by age, being married or indigenous, years of schooling, off-farm activities, farming experience, household size, farm size, FBO membership, extension contact, market proximity, and access to credit. To improve the rice value chain in Ghana, rice breeding efforts should consider varieties with trait preferences such as being tolerant of pest and diseases, aromatic, early maturing, and tolerance to shattering. However, to enhance the consumption of improved rice varieties, breeding efforts should target varieties that are aromatic, good textured, and have medium-sized grains for female consumers, while for male consumers preferred varieties would be less easily broken, white grain color, translucent, and with short cooking time.

This study investigates the household decision-making process toward adopting improved rice varieties. The mixed-method approach is applied to identify the influential factors and demonstrating the importance of considering gender aspects. The study was conducted in Madagascar Highlands (Vakinankaratra and Haute Matsiatra regions) with a sample of 164 male and female farmers. The quantitative models explored gendered differences for adoption, and the qualitative analysis elucidated farmers’ preferences and factors that would limit or motivate adoption. Results show that at the time of the study, most farmers did not grow improved rice variety. No statistically significant gender differences in adoption levels were found; some explaining factors and preferences are gendered, pointing mainly to the labor implications of adoption. The qualitative analysis reveals similarities and sharp differences in preference attributes, abiotic stress resistance being the crucial factor in selecting varieties. Limiting factors include access to fertilizer, seeds, and finance; labor and time significantly constrain women. Technology development should be considered by applying a gender lens. For instance, male and female farmers must be involved in the initial stage of developing and deploying technology to deliver new varieties presenting traits suitable to the farmers’ soil and other environmental conditions and their households’ objectives. Technologies facilitating labor and time can reduce women’s reluctance to adopt new varieties.