Investigating the role of women in agricultural extension advisory services in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: current-status, challenges, and prospects.
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Date
2022
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Abstract
This study investigated women’s role in agricultural extension advisory service, with a focus
on their status, challenges, and prospect, using the uMgungundlovu District of KwaZulu-Natal,
South Africa as a case study. The study was conceived to identify the gender gaps among
agricultural extension workers relative to overcoming household food security and enhancing
rural livelihood, especially among women farmers, pointing out some hindrances limiting
women's involvement in extension advisory services. Extension plays a significant role in
enhancing agricultural production and community development initiatives. However,
sustainable agriculture, rural livelihood sustainability, and food insecurity at the household
level are still of great concern and continue to be substantial challenges for rural dwellers,
especially women farmers in South Africa. Hence, this study Investigates the roles of women
in agricultural extension advisory services in South Africa relative to overcoming household
food security, the challenges confronting women advisors and farmers, and their empowerment
needs, with specific reference to the KwaZulu-Natal province.
The research processes used for this study are two-fold: a theoretical and philosophical process,
on the one hand, and an empirical process, on the other hand. Both processes Involved a
systematic Investigation pattern. This study draws from relevant published works, in the case
of the theoretical process, to establish the gap that exists between female and male extension
advisors. The study also establishes the degree to which women and men jointly participate as
extension advisors, concerning the role of women advisors in facilitating household food
security, rural livelihood, and sustainable agriculture among farmers, with special linkage to
the profile of women in Africa Agriculture.
The empirical process includes data collection through semi-structured interviews with
selected respondents comprising of Provincial and district directors and deputy directors of
extension and advisory services, a director of a non-governmental organization, female and
male extension practitioners, and female and male farmers. Twenty respondents, including
fifteen female extension advisors and five provincial and district stakeholders in extension
advisory services, participated in the Investigation of the constraint confronting women
extension advisors. Also, forty-five respondents were interviewed on the prospect of
empowering women extension advisors. Some of the respondents were involved in both
investigations.
The study found that whereas all other provinces have a majority of male extension advisors,
KwaZulu-Natal is more evenly split between females and males’ extension advisors. However,
this unique demographic did not appear to offer the female extension advisors any advantage
with respect to the challenges they generally face as women extension workers. Key among
challenges confronting women extension advisors includes: egoistic attitudes, and are biased
toward women extension advisors, a persistent manifestation of gender disparity, Skills
deficiency, and security threat.
The study also found that female extension practitioners are a crucial support system to
smallholder farmers, especially women and are Instrumental in increasing women’s
participation in commercial agriculture production. However, key factors such as insufficient
or inadequate technology knowledge, especially skills in digital tools, marketing, project
management, and soil fertility test knowledge have constantly affected their efficiency. As
such, they are limited in the level and extent to which women farmers' extension service needs
could be met. Therefore, empowering female extension practitioners holds the prospect of
Improving women farmers’ efficiency and effectiveness.
The study concluded on the need for appropriate actions that strengthen women participation
by creating a conducive work atmosphere that facilitates and promotes female extension
practitioners' empowerment and tackle the challenges that often impede their productivity. It
recommends the need to include women extension advisors’ voices in policy making. The
Implication of this is that women will be directly involved in the design of the policy that
shapes their services, given that most time, National policies and/or frameworks do not always
translate well to the local level where implementation is required.
Description
Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.