Key Implications for Development Projects

In order to address the needs of women smallholders, projects need to develop trust by showing commitment to communities, while ensuring that women retain ownership of the changes that are introduced to avoid dependency.
Farmer groups are a powerful resource for sharing information, improving women’s confidence and reducing the risks they face, but groups need training and support at various points in their development in order to function effectively, and to have a chance to become self-sufficient.
Removing or lowering barriers to women’s participation in development initiatives requires a shift in their position in their communities, and therefore it requires projects to work with both men and women in communities.