Women are central to feeding Africa

Pamela Whitby – BBC News Business Africa – Wednesday, 13 April, 2011 (originally published 12 April)

Women in agriculture generally work longer and harder than men for less reward. Image: BBC news

In developing countries, more than 60% of women are directly involved in agricultural work, but very few gain access to information, training or supplies. More action and less rhetoric on this issue could put more food on the world’s table and help drive economic growth, writes Pamela Whitby.

According the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), some 70% of the world’s food is grown on farms of less than two hectares and these are tended largely by women.

In sub-Saharan Africa, women grow as much as 90% of the region’s food.

Yet despite the central role they play, the conditions they work in leave much to be desired.

For one, the working day of women is at least 50% longer than that of men. . .

. . . read complete article . . .

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