The extent to which AEAS should be involved
In some countries shifting cultivation was practiced some time ago and is still being practiced in many Asian countries. In a more settled form of agriculture, farmers cultivate small parcels of land permanently. A large proportion of food produced in Asia and Africa is by small-scale farmers or family farmers numbering around 500 million. They need access to information on better land predation methods, new seed/plant varieties, effective use of fertilizers, control of pests and diseases. AEAS need to facilitate these activities.
Simply providing access to know-how will not improve the productivity of small scale farmers because there are many other limiting factors such as lack of water for drinking and household activities, inadequate transport and infra-structure facilities, etc. Very often famers, mostly their family members, have to walk 1-2 km in search of water thereby wasting their time which otherwise would have been used for household activities and / or in the land. In view of the limitations AEAS need to be involved in planning/deciding what crops to grow, getting the infrastructure improved, marketing strategies, support rural communities to manage their natural resources more effectively etc. These may be done in collaboration with the other institutions such as Rural Development Division, Land Use Planning Divisions etc. operating at village level. Hence, Ag. Extension personnel should be involved in a holistic approach to development.
are the key actors in many activities related to development of the agriculture sector. They are involved in mainly in planting (e.g. transplanting rice) and harvesting (e.g. paddy/vegetables/fruits). They contribute to food security on a great way, both in their families and in society at large. This is especially true if family farming is considered, where family income depends on the combined efforts of its members. Issues related to health affect the rural population to a great extent. Malnutrition leads to various diseases such as tuberculosis which affects the rural population. . In many Asian countries Chronic Kidney Disease which is considered to be caused by low nutrition level, toxic compound/s in water also is a health problem especially among the rural population. It is the women in the families who have to face the burden when a family member/s are affected by a disease. A disease among a family member/s result in less time being spent by the woman in the family, for crop production and related activities. In general, extension staff is not adequately knowledgeable on the important aspects of nutrition and related diseases. Hence, GFRAS nutrition group need to promote knowledge of the extension staff on nutrition and nutrition related diseases.
Specific challenges I encountered -
based inequality against women is a common characteristic in many communities in Asia and Africa although they are the active labour force in rural areas. They suffer the most because of factors such as illiteracy, poor health partly due to malnutrition etc. Female agric. extension staff are unable to reach most of the farm families especially the women mainly because they live in inaccessible areas far away from village centers, and public transport is not frequently available. Hence they have to travel by foot or by bicycles/motor cycles. In my work involved in extension, I found that inadequate transport is a challenge.
Female extension staff needs to be given maternity leave when necessary. Very often replacements are not appointed due to financial and other issues and hence extension activities are affected to a great extent. This was also a challenge I encountered.
Examples of AEAS successfully addressing issues related to gender and nutrition-
a Consultant of PLAN, an INGO, I was instrumental in organizing and assisting a number women famer societies in Sri Lanka. A society in Kurunegala District in Sri Lanka was interested in carrying out work related to nutrition among the members. The society members were undecided on what crops to cultivate and I was able to assist in making them aware of the nutritionally desirable crops and also giving them the required information to purchase the other requirements. The active involvement with the stake holders made this programme a success.
In my work involved in the Poverty Alleviation Programme of the Govt. of Sri Lanka, home gardening was promoted with the collaboration of field staff. A large number of rural households took part in this programme. We were able to develop small enterprises with the involvement of the people in the villages, mainly women. These enterprises were involved in producing seeds and planting material, vegetative propagation, manufacturing organic fertilizers, bio pesticides etc. In this process it was possible to assist home-gardeners in obtaining necessary materials easily and also developing a few micro-enterprises in the village. Participatory discussions, to make the villagers aware of nutrition, what crops to cultivate, proper processing of the produce, biological control of pests and diseases, arranging markets, led to the success of this programme. Getting the health officers, agricultural extension officers in the village to take part in the participatory discussion was found to be advantageous.
Role of GFRAS –
GFRAS has an important role to play by helping AEAS to implement effective programs to assist woman organizations to obtain appropriate education on matters related to health and nutrition. Implementation of strategies to help AEAS need to be carried out at national level depending on the actual problems in the specific area. The intensity of the effects of the nutrition factors which influence sustainable agricultural production may differ within the same country. For example Chronic Kidney disease, related to nutrition is reported only in some parts of India, and Sri Lanka. Hence more emphasis needs to be given to control this disease in these areas. It would be advantageous for GFRAS to liaise with the relevant state and private sector organizations and NGOs as the case may be. It would be more effective if there is a coordinator in each large country, similar to UNDP which will make such liaison more effective.
Dr. Stanley Weeraratna