Wahaga, Esther (2012) An exploration of effects of technology transfer on women's participation in agricultural development programmes in two rural communities in Northern Ghana : a case study of cowpea. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This thesis is a product of a case study on how innovation transfer affects women‘s participation in cowpea production in two communities in northern Ghana. The study addresses issues relating to how gender relations modify technological development, impact upon innovation transfer, dissemination and adoption among local farmers and how they affect the inclusion of women in agricultural development programmes. The context of the research is the growing awareness of the importance of involving women in agricultural development programmes. This change has occurred due to the realisation of women‘s key contribution to the agricultural sector and the need to focus technological development on both men and women. The thesis draws upon primary data produced during 12 months fieldwork in northern Ghana. This fieldwork utilised three research tools: interviews, observations and focus group discussions. Data for the interviews was collected by purposive sampling and included 65 male and female cowpea farmers, living in three villages. In addition, seven observations were undertaken in two villages and focusing on their cowpea storage practices. Finally, eight staff from The Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, The Ministry of Food and Agriculture and World Vision Ghana were also interviewed in order to gain the views and perspectives of agricultural development agencies.
It is argued here that that gender equality is crucial for effective agricultural development because women are hugely involved in the agricultural sector. It is also argued that if women‘s role in ensuring effective development of cowpea production is not taken into account, the consequences will not only affect the lives of women but will also have negative consequences for the communities in which they live. Debates in technological advancement in the agricultural sector indicate that the participation of farmers in the processes of innovation development and diffusion enhances innovation adoption. The thesis argues that the development of agricultural innovations is not based on a comprehensive analysis of gender roles and as a result does not offer equal opportunities for women and men to participate and benefit. It offers further explanations on how the national agricultural development agencies are working around to actively involve both men and women in the processes of innovation development and transfer. Furthermore, the thesis argues that, notwithstanding farmers‘ interest in new and improved agricultural innovations, they are most likely to incorporate their traditional norms and values when using new or improved agricultural innovations. Thus it offers insights on how new innovations that bear similarities to older ones, are widely adopted.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General)
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Cowpea industry -- Northern Region (Ghana), Women in agriculture -- Northern Region (Ghana), Women in rural development -- Northern Region (Ghana), Agricultural innovations -- Northern Region (Ghana)
Official Date:	September 2012
Dates:	Date Event September 2012 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Sociology
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Extent:	306 leaves.
Language:	eng

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