Developing gender-transformative innovation packages for sustainable intensification: the case of maize leaf stripping in northern Ghana

Abstract

Sustainable agricultural intensification (SI) seeks to address multiple development objectives at the same time, among them social aspects of sustainability. However, interest in gender norms as potential catalyzers or obstacles for achieving these objectives has remained low. In this article, we use a SI assessment framework as an analytical lens for the identification of social aspects—in particular inequitable norms—that could be targeted through gender-transformative innovation packages. We evaluate social science data from a maize-livestock intervention in Ghana. In a mixed methods study, data were collected from 60 farmers involved in experimentation. The analysis unearthed a number of overlapping norms that shape men’s and women’s actions and interact with the SI package to produce tangible inequalities. To promote gender equity, these norms need to be targeted. But it will not suffice to simply add gender-transformative components to technical packages, if the technical components are not redesigned to fit the same equity goal. We showcase this using the results. An important conclusion is that assessments of both social and technical components of interventions must be more consciously designed in transdisciplinary processes—with equitable arrangements in mind.

Keywords:

• Gender norms
• sustainable intensification
• innovation assessment
• interdisciplinarity
• Ghana
• transdisciplinarity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by United State Agency for International Development with [grant number ARG#: AID-BFS-G-11-00002].

Notes on contributors

Gundula Fischer

Gundula Fischer, a social anthropologist and gender expert, worked for the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). She is now an independent researcher and consultant in agricultural research and development.

Kipo Jimah

Kipo Jimah is a gender specialist at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Tamale, Ghana.

Eliasu Mumuni

Eliasu Mumuni is a senior lecturer in the Department of Communication, Innovation and Technology at the University of Development Studies in Tamale, Ghana.

Abdul Rahman Nurudeen

Abdul Rahman Nurudeen works an agronomist at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Tamale, Ghana.

Kofi Glover

Kofi Glover is a lecturer in the Department of Behavioural Sciences at the University of Development Studies in Tamale, Ghana.

Addah Weseh

Addah Weseh is an associate professor in the department of animal science at the University of Development Studies in Tamale, Ghana.