Southern Regional Agricultural Development Project

IFAD’s loan provided financing for a programme that introduced new skills and technologies to rural women. The programme assisted women who manage rainfed farms on small plots of less than 1 ha, and also benefited landless village women who depend on activities outside agriculture for their livelihood. Extension services in agriculture and home economics benefited younger women and encouraged their future participation in rural development. Technologies included locally manufactured bread ovens made of oil drums, mud stoves, simple solar heaters, inexpensive water pumps and new milk churns. Recruitment of women extension workers was one of the ways the programme worked to overcome cultural constraints that prevent rural women from gaining access to improved techniques.

Source: IFAD