Skip to main content
Log in

Women and agroforestry: four myths and three case studies

La mujer y agrosilvicultura: quarto mitos y tres estudios de caso

  • Published:
Agroforestry Systems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Women are traditionally important participants in both the agricultural and forestry components of agroforestry production. Women are frequently ignored in the design of agroforestry projects because of commonly held myths about their participation in both production activities and in public life. The involvement of women in agroforestry projects and activities are examined in case studies from the Dominican Republic, India and Kenya. Considerations for including women in agroforestry projects are discussed.

Resumen

Tradicionalmente la mjuer ha jugado un papel importante en la produccion agrosilvicola, tanto en el aspecto agricola como en el forestal. A pesar de ello su participación es frecuentemente descuidada durante las etapas de identificacion y diseño de proyectos en este campo debido a mitos preconcebidos sobre su rol en actividades de producción y de desarrollo de la comunidad. Se analiza el papel de la mujer en proyectos y actividades agrosilvícolas en tres estudios de caso (Republica Dominicana, India y Kenia) identificandose situaciones concretas que conducirían a su incorporación en projectos similares.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Acharya M and Bennett L (1981) The rural women of Nepal Volume II Part 9, Kathmandu, Centre for Economic Development and Administration

    Google Scholar 

  2. Agarwal A, Chopta R and Sharm K (1982) The state of India's environment 1982, a citizen's report. New Delhi, Centre for Science and Environment, pp 33–35.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Alberti A (n.d.) Some observations of the productive role of women and development efforts in the Andes. Unpublished manuscript

  4. Allan W (1965) The African husbandman. Edinburgh, Oliver and Boyd

    Google Scholar 

  5. Antonini G, Ewel K and Tupper H (1975) Population and energy: a system analysis of resource utilization in the Dominican Republic. Gainesville, University of Florida Press

    Google Scholar 

  6. Bahuguna S (1982) Walking with the Chipko message. Tehri-Garhwal, Chipko Information Centre

    Google Scholar 

  7. Bennett L (1981) The Parbatiya women of Bakundal. The Status of women in Nepal Volume II Part 7. Kathmandu, Centre for Economic Development and Administration

    Google Scholar 

  8. Berreman GD (1972) Hindus of the Himalayas: ethnography and change. Berkeley, University of California Press

    Google Scholar 

  9. Bhatt CP (1980) Ecoysystem of the Central Himalayas and Chipko movement, determination of hill people to save their forests, Gopeshwar (UP), Dashauli Gram Swarajya Sangh, pp 7–31

    Google Scholar 

  10. Boserup E (1970) Women's role in economic development. London, George Allen and Unwin

    Google Scholar 

  11. Bryson JC (1981) Women and agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa: implications for development (an explanatory study). J. Develop Stud 17 (3): 28–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Buvinic M and Youssef NH (1978) Women-headed households: the ignored factor in developing planning. Washington, DC, International Centre for Research on Women

    Google Scholar 

  13. Chaney E and Lewis M (1980) Planning a family food production program, some alternatives and suggestions for Plan Sierra, San Jose de las Matas, Plan Sierra

    Google Scholar 

  14. Cliffe L (1975) Labor migration and peasant differentiation: Zambian experiences. J Peasant Stud 5(3): 326–346

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Colfer CJP (1981) Women, men and time in the forests of East Kalimantan Borneo Research Bulletin 1981 (September) 75–85

  16. Deere CD (1982) The division of labor by sex in agriculture: a Peruvian case study. Econ Dev Cu 30(4): 795–811

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Dietel E (1982) A profile of small-scale traders in Western Kenya: an alternative credit approach for women. Cornell University: Unpublished Masters Thesis

  18. Dixon R (1983) Land, labour and the sex composition of the agricultural labour force: an international comparison. Develop Cha 14(3) 347–372

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. FAO Committee on Agriculture (1982) Follow-up to WCARRD: the role of women in agricultural production. Rome. FAO

    Google Scholar 

  20. Fortmann L (1979) Women and agricultural development. In Kim KS, Mabele R and Schultheis MJ eds. Papers on the political economy of Tanzania. Nairobi, Heinemann Educational Books, Ltd

    Google Scholar 

  21. Fortman L (1984). Economic status and women's participation in agriculture: a Botswana case study. Rur Soc 49(2): 452–464

    Google Scholar 

  22. Fortmann L (1983) The role of local institutions in communal area development. Gaborone, Applied Research Unit, Ministry of Local Government and Lands

    Google Scholar 

  23. Fouad I (1982) The role of women peasants in the process of desertification in Western Sundan. Geojournal 6(1): 25–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Gupta RK (1980) Alternate strategies for rural development in Garhwal Himalaya. In: Singh T and Kaur J eds. Studies in Himalayan ecology and development strategies. New Delhi, The English Book Store 218–228

    Google Scholar 

  25. Gupta RK, Singh G, Katiyar VS, Bhardwaj SP, Puri DN, Ram Babu and Tejwani KG (1979) Watershed management — a tool for integrated rural development and flood control. Paper presented at the National Symposium on ‘Soil Conservation and Water Management in the 1980's’. Dehra Dun, Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute

    Google Scholar 

  26. Hammer T (1977) Wood for fuel: energy crising implying desertification. The case of Bara, The Sudan. University of Bergen

    Google Scholar 

  27. Hammer T (1982) Reforestation and community development in the Sudan. Bergen, Development Research and Action Programme, The Chr. Michelsen Institute

    Google Scholar 

  28. Hoskins M (1982a) Observations on indigenous and modern agroforestry activities in West Africa. Paper presented at the United Nations University Workshop ‘Problems of Agro-forestry’ University of Freiburg

  29. Hoskins M (1982b) Social Forestry in West Africa: myths and realities. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Washington, DC

  30. Hoskins M (1983) Rural women, forest outputs and forestry projects. Rome, FAO

    Google Scholar 

  31. Jennings P and Ferreiras B (1979) Recursos energeticos de bosques secos en la Republica Dominicana. Santiago R D, Centro de Investigaciones Economicas y Alimenticias, Institute Superior de Agricultura

    Google Scholar 

  32. Joshi G (1982) Men propose, women oppose the destruction of forests. New Delhi, Information Service on Science and Society-Related Issues, Centre for Science and Environment, 1–5

    Google Scholar 

  33. Ki-zerbo J (1981) Women and the energy crisis in the Sahel. Unasylva 33 (133): 5–10

    Google Scholar 

  34. Kuper H, Hughes AJB and van Velson J (1954) The Shona and Ndebele of Southern Rhodesia. London, International African Institute

    Google Scholar 

  35. March K and Taqqu R (1982) Women's informal associations and the organizational capacity for development. Ithaca, Cornell University Rural Development Committe

    Google Scholar 

  36. Mazumdar V (1982) Another development with women: a view from Asia. Development Dialogue 1982 (1–2): 65–73

    Google Scholar 

  37. Mercedes J (1980) Estudios Para el diseño de un sistema de manejo integrado en areas de bosque seco en La Republica Dominicana. Ag Eng Thesis, Santiago, Instituto Superior de Agricultura Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra

    Google Scholar 

  38. Mengech A and Aworry A (1982) Proceedings of the Kengo Workshop held in Kitui in October, 1982. Nairobi: Kenya Energy Non-governmental Organizations Association

    Google Scholar 

  39. Mishra A and Tripathi S (1978) Chipko Movement, Uttarakhand women's bid to save forest wealth. New Delhi, People's Action

    Google Scholar 

  40. Molnar A (1981) The Kham Magar women of Thabang. The status of women in Nepal Volume II Part 2. Kathmandu, Centre for Economic Development and Administration

    Google Scholar 

  41. Obi SNC (1963) The Ibo law of property. London, Butterworth

    Google Scholar 

  42. Pradhan B (1981) The Newar Women of Bulu. The status of women in Nepal Volume II Part 6. Kathmandu, Centre for Economic Development and Administration

    Google Scholar 

  43. Rajaure D (1981) The Tharu women of Sukhwar. The status of women in Nepal Volume II Part 3. Kathmandu, Centre for Economic Development and Administration

    Google Scholar 

  44. Rocheleau D (1983) An ecological analysis of soil and water conservation in hillslope farming systems: Plan Sierra, Dominican Republic. Gainesville, University of Florida, Department of Geography

    Google Scholar 

  45. Safa H and Gladwin C (1981) Designing a women's component for Plan Sierra. Gainsville, Centre for Latin American Studies, University of Florida

    Google Scholar 

  46. Santos B (1981) El Plan Sierra: una experiencia de desarrollo rurral en las montanas de la Republica Dominicana. In Novoa A and Posner J eds. Agricultura de ladera en America Tropical. Turrialba, C.A.T.I.E.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Scott G (1980) Forestry projects and women. Washington, DC, The World Bank

    Google Scholar 

  48. Sharma R (1981) Greening the countryside. New Delhi, Information Service on Science and Society — Related Issues, Centre for Science and Environment: 1–4

    Google Scholar 

  49. Sharma U (1980) Women, work and property in North-West India. London, Tavistock Publications

    Google Scholar 

  50. Spring A (1983) Extension services in Malawi. Paper presented at the XIth international congress of anthropological and ethnographic sciences, Vancouver

  51. Staudt K (1975/76) Women farmers and inequities in agricultural services. Rur Afr 9: 81–94

    Google Scholar 

  52. Stroud A (1983) A vegetation assessment of Kisii District, Kenya. Nairobi, National Environment and Human Settlement Secretariat

    Google Scholar 

  53. Swaminathan MS (1980) Ecodevelopment of the Uttrakhand Region. In: Bhatt CP Ecosystem of the Central Himalayas and Chipko Movement. Gopeshwar, Deshauli Gram Swarajya Sangh: 3–6

    Google Scholar 

  54. Teal W (1984) The Kenya public tree seed directory. Nairobi, Heinemann Educational Books, Ltd. (In press)

    Google Scholar 

  55. United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (1980) Report of the expert group meeting on women and forest industies. Bangkok

  56. Varghese BG (1978) Introduction. In: Mishra A and Tripathi S, Chipko Movement, Uttarakhand women's bid to save forest wealth. New Delhi, People's Action: 1–3

    Google Scholar 

  57. Wiff M (1977) La mujer en el desarrollo agroforestal en America Central. Annex to the report on the FAO/SIDA seminar on the role of silviculture in rural development in Latin America. Rome, FAO

    Google Scholar 

  58. Wood DH et al (1980) The socio-economic context of firewood use in small rural communities. Washington, DC, USAID

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Fortmann, L., Rocheleau, D. Women and agroforestry: four myths and three case studies. Agroforest Syst 2, 253–272 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00147037

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00147037

Keywords

Navigation