Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
practices, though women are at a much greater disadvantage. Only 22 per cent
of the farming population had received agricultural training, and of these, 86
per cent were men and 14 per cent were women. Women were particularly
interested in learning more about basic methods for treating animal health
problems, whereas men were more interested in information about sources of
credit and government training programmes.
Decision making - Women predominate in the marketing of farm
products, while both men and women share in the decision to sell and in the
control of the proceeds of sales. Where a woman has control over land, she
most often has the right to decide on the sale of produce. She also maintains
control over the proceeds and, as in one case recounted by a participant, a
woman might choose to use the proceeds from the sale of inherited land to
pay rent on other land. On the other hand, men are more commonly in
control of property and they generally have more authority in decisions about
selling land.
Precisely how decisions are made within the family depends on how
farming tasks are divided. One of the most important dimensions in the
organization of farming systems is the division of labour based on gender.
Both the position of individuals within the household and the division of
labour affect an individual's knowledge of the crop-livestock system. This, in
turn, determines who makes the decisions. Commercial farmers make more
decisions alone as well as fewer in consultation with family members;
however, farmers producing for home consumption or who operate non-land-
owning households with animals make fewer decisions alone and more in
consultation with family members. The extent of consultation also depends
upon how farmers perceive the importance of the decision. A summary of
decision-making is shown in Table 3.6.
Outcomes of urban agriculture in Carapongo
Even though farmers who were interviewed during the study generally
declared that UA is not profitable, the majority obtain some income from the
sale of crops or animals which makes it possible for them to make a
subsistence living. Those farmers who have secure access to the land (either
owned or rented) generally have more opportunities to earn a higher income
and attain a better quality of life. At the same time, some farmers generate
employment for other people, mainly those who live in the vicinity of
Carapongo or along the river bank (marginal zone). Many farmers also
reported that, thanks to the income generated by UA, they have managed to
get more land and build their house with more robust construction materials.
Furthermore, they have managed to obtain education for their children, some
of whom reach a technical and/or university education.
Most agricultural produce - lettuce, turnip and beets - is sold by farmers
and not eaten in their homes. However, in the orchards space is reserved for
seeding other products
they usually eat. Furthermore,
in small-animal
husbandry meat and eggs represent other food sources.
