The potential for improving production tools and implements used by women farmers in Africa
A Joint IFAD/FAO/FARMESA Study
February, 1998
This report is dedicated to the many hundreds of farm women who freely gave of their time, opinions, and ideas to help with this study. Despite their life and work under extreme duress, they were mostly unfailing in their cheerfulness, frankness and humour during the group discussions.
Findings, conclusions, and recommendations
Scope of the study and the methods used
Differences between countries of the study and some general observations
The role of women in agriculture
What women and men farmers say
Differences in tools used by men and women
Preferences for blacksmith or industrially-made tools and implements
Who decides what tools to buy?
Improvements women would like for their tools
Willingness to work with technicians to develop better tools and to pay more for improved versions