In this experimental study, the impact of BRAC’s intervention in Uganda for the empowerment of female farmers by improving their soft skills and their aspirations will be evaluated. In addition to studying how these interventions change female farmers’ productivity, the effects of providing information about soil testing services and how the empowerment program affects the take-up of these techniques by female relative to male farmers will be evaluated. The project will shed light on the extent to which lack of soft skills and aspirations may be driving the gender gap in technology adoption and agricultural productivity.
Researchers: Dr Andreas Madestam; Dr Munshi Sulaiman; and Dr Selim Gulesci
Partners: Swedish Research Council
Timeline: 2022–2024
Status: Ongoing
Contact: Dr Munshi Sulaiman
munshi.sulaiman@brac.net & munshi.slmn@gmail.com
Context
It is a well-established fact that plots cultivated by female farmers in Africa are less productive than those managed by male farmers. Female farmers are on average less likely to adopt new technologies and use productive inputs, but the reasons behind this gap are unclear. This study will explore two of the potential explanations behind the gender gap in agricultural productivity. The first one posits that female farmers lack the necessary soft skills required to access inputs and undertake the needed investments. The second explanation is related to lack of female role models that women engaged in farming can identify with. In order to test these two mechanisms, the research team will collaborate with the BRAC Uganda within a new program targeting female farmers.
Research Questions
Methodology
This study will use an individual randomized control trial (RCT) design. A study population will include 2,400 smallholder farmers (1,800 female and 600 male) 18-35 in 300 villages located in the three non-Northern regions of Uganda. They will be selected by BRAC Uganda, based on a scoping exercise among locations near BRAC microfinance groups and youth clubs. After the baseline survey, the sample of farmers will be randomized into the following six research arms: (T1) soft skills training – female farmers receive the soft skills training only; (T2) exposure to role models – female farmers receive the soft skills training and are shown videos with female role models; (TA) information on soil tests – farmers (female and male) are provided with information on the advantages of conducting soil testing and how they can access such services; (T1A) soft skills training + information on soil tests, which corresponds to the combination of arms T1 and TA; (T2A) soft skills training + exposure to role models + information on soil tests, which corresponds to the combination of arms T2 and TA; and finally, (C) control – farmers (female and male) in this arm are not treated.
Findings
Study ongoing.
