Women in farmer-led irrigation development: the case of Infulene Valley, Maputo – Mozambique
Based on:
Journal Article (2018)
Problematising both how women have been studied in academia, and how women are seen by development agencies in irrigation projects
Brief by:
Neither academia or development were looking at women’s roles in irrigation in the right way. The literature review proposes a more fluid relationship between the household, and farming.
It is important to view relationship dynamics within the home, including divisions in control of land, water access, and products of the labour to understand irrigation practices more fully.
Key findings
Development agencies involved in farmer led-irrigation are not necessarily aware of the subtleties of the context, and reproduce biases.
The bias of the practitioners understanding of gender dynamics, for example may not reflect the dynamics on the field. This bias has observable effects on the implementation of development projects, and can perpetuate biases rather than work around them. As an example, some older western literature proposes a clear-cut dichotomy of men's vs women's domains in work and life, which in reality are much more diffused and nuanced.
Proposed action
Policymakers, planners and development agencies must not try to plan out farmer-led irrigation systems under the view that they are unproductive, informal and unsanitary as so many people rely on urban agriculture for their livelihoods
These experts should also avoid dichotomising formal and informal work as this marginalises many livelihood activities and individuals
Development agencies should be very aware of how they are conceptualising gender dynamics, and to be sensitive and aware that they are not reproducing stereotypes or creating inequalities
Academics should try to criticise their assumptions with local viewpoints to better understand the context and avoid misconeptions and false expectations
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Acknowledgements
Thank you to iDE Global
These insights were made available thanks to the support of iDE Global, who are committed to the dissemination of knowledge for all.
Special thanks to Ben Levett for preparation assistance
We would like to extend a special thank you to Ben Levett, for their invaluable contribution in assisting the preparation of this research summary.
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Women in farmer-led irrigation development: the case of Infulene Valley, Maputo – Mozambique
Cite this brief: Reyes, Natalia. 'Women in farmer-led irrigation development: the case of Infulene Valley, Maputo – Mozambique'. Acume. https://www.acume.org/r/women-in-farmer-led-irrigation-development-the-case-of-infulene-valley-maputo-mozambique/
Brief created by: Natalia Reyes | Year brief made: 2022
Original research:
- Reyes, N., ‘Women in farmer-led irrigation development: the case of Infulene Valley, Maputo – Mozambique’ 7 (pp. 31–43) https://www.criticayresistencias.com.ar/revista/article/view/24/23. – https://www.criticayresistencias.com.ar/revista/article/view/24/23
Research brief:
Problematising both how women have been studied in academia, and how women are seen by development agencies in irrigation projects
Neither academia or development were looking at women’s roles in irrigation in the right way. The literature review proposes a more fluid relationship between the household, and farming.
It is important to view relationship dynamics within the home, including divisions in control of land, water access, and products of the labour to understand irrigation practices more fully.
Findings:
Development agencies involved in farmer led-irrigation are not necessarily aware of the subtleties of the context, and reproduce biases.
The bias of the practitioners understanding of gender dynamics, for example may not reflect the dynamics on the field. This bias has observable effects on the implementation of development projects, and can perpetuate biases rather than work around them. As an example, some older western literature proposes a clear-cut dichotomy of men’s vs women’s domains in work and life, which in reality are much more diffused and nuanced.
Advice:
Policymakers, planners and development agencies must not try to plan out farmer-led irrigation systems under the view that they are unproductive, informal and unsanitary as so many people rely on urban agriculture for their livelihoods
These experts should also avoid dichotomising formal and informal work as this marginalises many livelihood activities and individuals
Development agencies should be very aware of how they are conceptualising gender dynamics, and to be sensitive and aware that they are not reproducing stereotypes or creating inequalities
Academics should try to criticise their assumptions with local viewpoints to better understand the context and avoid misconeptions and false expectations