CRP Roots, Tubers, and BananasFor Food Security and Income

Gender StrategyJune 15, 2012

Graham Thiele Director, CRP RTB

The program

A collaboration of:

+ a wide spectrum research-for-development

stakeholders & partners

BananaPlantain

Cassava Potato Sweetpotato Yam Other R&T

Our crops

• Major staples (among top 10)

• Cheap sources of energy & nutrients (14-60% daily calories)

• Locally produced/traded (less subject to global grain price fluctuations)

• Backbone of food & income security for 180 million– especially poorest of poor & women

Roots, Tubers, and Bananas?

RTBs share• Genetic complexity (> grains), marked

consumer preferences for particular varieties

• Vegetative propagation, similar seed systems

• Perishability, bulkiness and post harvest/value chain options

• High potential: > yields & impacts

• Low profile: “women’s crops”

• Under-investment (!)

Roots, Tubers, and Bananas?

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Gender integral in RTB Proposal development

December 2011 – First draft

Gender strategy: mainstream genderTheme Gender

1. Conserving & accessing genetic resources Women as keepers of seed & knowledge

2. Accelerating varietal development (higher yields, added value)

Participatory breeding; understanding trade-offs – gender dimensions

3. Managing pests and diseases Shifting roles; capacity strengthening; women as family health guardians

4. Seed systems (low cost/hi quality) Biophysical & SE framework for seed systems

5. Cropping systems (more productive, ecologically robust)

Understanding gender roles in cropping systems

6. Postharvest technologies, value chains, and market opportunities

Market development with gender equity

7. Enhancing impact (partnerships, communications, capacity strengthening)

Including women in networks; women as transmitters of knowledge; M&E of gender

Strategy: mainstream gender

• Engender targeting and priority-setting• Integrate gender-responsive approaches

& methods across themes• focusing where gender needs special

research or gender sensitivity enhances impact

• Ensure gender-responsive partnerships

Strategy: mainstream gender

• Strengthen communication and knowledge sharing around gender issues

• Strengthen capacity in gender analysis and gender transformative methods and approaches

• Design gender indicators and provide monitoring support in outcome and impact assessment

Reality

•Centers limited capability for gender research•Key staff with gender skills committed to bilateral projects •Centers overstretched to meet simultaneous demands for gender support from multiple CRPs•Only 3 enthusiastic but overloaded center focal points designated (recently)•No gender research scientist•Gender weakly present in deliverables in product portfolio for 2012

• Where gender integrated in research: e.g., participatory selection

• Success stories• Lessons learnt from those where gender not well integrated• Identification of gender-responsive indicators• Gender capacity strengthening for researchers

Build on strengths

1.Invest in gender focal points and researcher• Assign additional resources for engaging gender focal points• Use coordination budget for part time CRP gender researcher to

bring together center focal points• Hold gender focal point meeting to refine action plan• Include focal points and colleagues in 2013 Operational Plan2.Identify key geographic/thematic areas where gender lens has

clearest pay off:• More inclusive commodity and food value chains• Seed system• Participatory plant breeding

3.Bring gender lens to priority setting (now underway for all RTB crops)4.Identify success stories with gender research to leverage support in

Centers and amongst partners5.Improve and resubmit RTB Gender strategy6. Engage with other CRPs and G&A research network

CRP Gender research action plan

Thank you