"The future role of women in organic plant breeding" - Alessandra Galiè, IFOAM, August 2009, Santa Fe, USA

1. The future role of women in organic plant breeding Alessandra Galiè PhD candidate, Wageningen University, NL Research Fellow, ICARDA Supported by: Participatory Research and Gender Analysis (PRGA) and Wageningen University

5. Participatory Plant Breeding Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB) is the systematic and regular involvement of farmers as decision-makers in all stages of a plant breeding programme. Crop varieties are produced reflecting the agro-ecological, geographical and socio-cultural context farmers live in and the traits both men and women farmers need and prefer (Ceccarelli et al 2000) The future role of women in organic plant breeding - A. Galiè - IFOAM 2009 4

6. PPB and Gender In PPB crops are the product of: Genotypes X agro-ecological environments X people Gender issues because men and women might have different uses of crops that entail specific knowledge, needs and varietal traits priorities A gender-balanced PPB is necessary to achieve equity, efficiency and effectiveness The future role of women in organic plant breeding - A. Galiè - IFOAM 2009 5

18. Ajaz: Population: 550 Rainfall: 320 mm Main crops: barley, wheat (65% total) My research: 4 households non-participating in PPB Souran : Population: 32.000 Rainfall: 300 mm Main crops: barley, olives, wheat My research: 1 household participating in PPB Lahetha : Population: 3500 Rainfall: 174 mm Main crops: barley, wheat My research: 5 households participating in PPB

20. Fieldwork in Ajaz, February 2008 The future role of women in organic plant breeding - A. Galiè - IFOAM 2009 19

21. Visit to the fields, Farmers’ Conference, May 2008 The future role of women in organic plant breeding - A. Galiè - IFOAM 2009 20

27. Women Men Family Experience Experimentation over years Relatives Neighbours Women’s union Women’s meetings Extension office Agricultural Pharmacy Farmers’ union Markets Agricultural shops Seed exchange with villages and neighbours Farmers’ gatherings Sources of knowledge Gender and age influence perception of ‘who knows’

28. Perception of decision making in women’s daily activities Y=decision-making power Y X

35. Thank you