Gender Differentiated Outcomes of Small Holder Agriculture Commercialization: Systematic Review of Evidence from Africa
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Date
2019-10
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
A systematic review on gender differentiated smallholders’ commercialization has come into consideration owing to prevailing situation in Sub -Sahara Africa and observing the existing body of research both in gender inequality and smallholders’ commercialization. The region is at the bottom list in the human development and gender equality index. 65% of the population leads subsistence agriculture, and around 33% are still under extreme poverty. It is widely believed that smallholders’ commercialization has the potential to curb the situation. In view of this, the presentsystematic review is an undertaking to increase the evidence base of smallholders’ commercialization outcomes from the perspective of gender equality and women empowerment. A collection of relevant studies on smallholders’ commercialization, gender equality and gap in the agriculture sector were collected from the open knowledge sources using key words, geographic bound, and timeframe criteria. The review has covered 24relevant works from academic centers, international research centers, and studies commissioned by multilateral and UN agencies. All reviewed studies were conducted in Africa within the time frame of 2002 to 2019. Both published and unpublished, peer reviewed and not reviewed by peers are covered in this systematic review. The results show that the positive outcomes of smallholders’ commercialization are largely eschewed towards men rather than women, but a pronounced negative impact on gender equality is rather rarely evidenced. On the contrary addressing the multifaceted structural issues affecting the participation of women, and particularly the multiple drivers of gender gap in the agricultural sector can render increased participation of women in smallholders’ commercialization, and benefit from it.
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Gender Differentiated Outcomes of Small Holder Agriculture Commercialization: Systematic Review of Evidence from Africa