The West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) have called for the implementation of targeted programmes and inclusive policies to enhance the participation of women in agricultural advisory services across the continent.
The two institutions expressed concern about the persistent marginalisation of women in accessing agricultural services despite their significant involvement across the agricultural value chain.
They warned that the continued exclusion of women from advisory and support systems posed a threat to food productivity and security in the region and stressed the need to prioritise gender considerations in all agricultural interventions.
These concerns were raised at the opening of a three-day regional training workshop on gender and rural advisory services in Accra. The training formed part of the Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP), jointly implemented by CORAF and the FAO.
The objective of the workshop was to build the capacity of researchers in National Centres of Specialization and Regional Centres of Excellence to systematically incorporate gender and social inclusion in agricultural research and innovation.
Participants were trained in practical approaches and tools for mainstreaming gender into the development, dissemination, and adoption of technologies across agro-sylvo-pastoral and fisheries value chains.
Dr Mariame Maiga, Regional Gender Advisor for CORAF, noted that gender inequalities along the agricultural value chain had widened, particularly regarding access to essential inputs, advisory services, and innovations.
She said the limited number of women working as agricultural extension officers was due in part to cultural stereotypes that discouraged women from pursuing careers in male-dominated fields.
“We must provide incentives and continuous training to empower women and close the gender gap,” Dr Maiga stated. “We also need to adopt gender-responsive communication tools to support advocacy and ensure that underprivileged women and youth have access to technologies that enhance productivity.”
Madam Terefe Bethel, Senior Gender Expert at FAO, said although women contributed significantly to agricultural production and post-harvest activities, they remained disadvantaged in accessing key agricultural services.
She emphasised that involving women meaningfully in agriculture was crucial to building sustainable food systems and reducing household poverty.
“It is essential to mainstream gender in all our programmes, policies, and service delivery systems,” she said.
Dr Kyky Ganyo, Assistant to the Coordinator for FSRP-CORAF, said the limited number of women in extension services was a challenge that required urgent attention. He underscored the importance of inclusive training and technology to improve agricultural outcomes across the continent.
The workshop is expected to strengthen institutional efforts to promote gender equity in agricultural research and extension, while advancing food system resilience through inclusive development strategies.