Women make up two-fifths of the agricultural work force in developing countries yet are often at a disadvantage in gaining access to land, credit, training and “inputs” such as seed and fertilizer, says the Farming First coalition. A research paper underlines that point by looking at differences in fertilizer use by women and men farmers.
The research was aimed at finding ways to improve fertilizer use among smallholder farmers so they use the proper amounts on corn and wheat crops. Over-use leads to nutrient runoff and release of a greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide. Under-use results in lower crop yields and lower income. In most countries, fertilizer policies don’t take into account the different positions of men and women farmers, resulting in usage that is most detrimental to women and children, said Clare Stirling, a senior scientist at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center.
Simon Attwood, of Bioversity International, says, “There’s a growing consensus that gender gaps in access to inputs are in part behind differences in productivity and on-farm practices.” Attwood and the other authors of the paper on gender and nitrogen fertilizer said that targeting women farmers in relation to promoting best use of fertilizer could bring high returns in increased productivity and income, given the starting point of the women.