Boaz Anglade

This study uses individual-level wealth data to explore the gender dimensions of asset poverty among the principal adults in Ecuadorean households, the first such study in a developing country. The study departs from conventional practice by analyzing not only sole heads but also partnered men and women heads and show systematic differences by gender, marital status, and household type. Among both sole and partnered heads, women are more likely to be asset poor than men. Further, in contrast to developed countries, asset poverty rates are much higher among partnered men and women than among sole men and women heads, largely because of structural factors that put those in consensual unions at a disadvantage in accumulating assets. The gender gap, however, is much larger among sole heads. In Ecuador, the risk of asset poverty is mainly associated with low levels of education, type of employment, and not having received an inheritance. HIGHLIGHTS

The formal input supply sector has received little attention in developing nations, including Haiti. We interviewed input store owners in Haiti and collected information on the availability and sources of inputs and challenges facing vendors. Three large suppliers import most inputs available to farmers. Second tier traders, mostly small stores that purchase from the major suppliers, play a critical role in making inputs accessible to rural communities. These formal stores have significant potential to transform the agricultural sector but face three major challenges. (1) Improved seed is a critically needed input, but older cultivars dominate because there is limited breeding in Haiti, few seed importers, and inadequate patent protections that make holders reluctant to move new varieties into Haiti. (2) The types of fertilizers and pesticides available to farmers are limited and many are technologically outdated. (3) In-country transportation is slow and relatively expensive and needed inputs often do not reach farmers in a timely manner. We conclude that approaches that bring together the strengths and assets of the public sector, the non-profit private sector and the for-profit private sector and increased attention to policy measures that benefit all three sectors are requisites for supply chain development in Haiti.

Human capacity building in Haiti’s agricultural sector can be utilized to reduce the country’s food insecurity. Haitian agricultural university and technical schools are responsible for supplying workforce ready graduates and therefore play a role in poverty reduction. Previous research has been conducted to assess these institutions from the perspective of faculty, students, and farmers. However, the employer perspective has not been considered, which could lead to a disconnect between what employers and the university believe are essential skills for graduates to obtain. This study focused on identifying the perceptions of the Haitian agricultural workforce regarding the ability of technical schools to produce graduates. This study used a basic qualitative design involving interviews of Haitian agricultural employers. The interviews revealed employers perceptive of curriculum strengths and weaknesses as well as desired employer skills for graduates. Employers also provided insight into the current job opportunities for graduates as well as what makes an “ideal” employee. We found a disconnect between jobs available and the skills being taught to graduates to fill these jobs. While employers desire employees with strong soft skills, there is a need for more technical skills to be taught at the agricultural schools.