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Gender Dynamics in Crop Pest & Disease
Management:
Case Studies
Understanding the gender roles and dynamics of farming households in managing plant pests and diseases like the mango fruit fly, banana fusarium wilt, and fall armyworm in Southeast Asia
Fruit Flies in Mango
Duration:
This research project explored the gender dynamics in mango farming and focused on understanding pest and disease management practices in some areas of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Household surveys and focus group discussions with men and women mango farmers identified key roles of women and men farmers in mango production activities, knowledge and awareness of fruit fly management, and involvement in farm decision-making and training.
Research Team
INDONESIA
INDONESIA
National Research and Innovation Agency
-
Dr. Ir. Handewi Purwati Saliem
-
Dr. Maesti Mardiharini
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Dr. Apri Laila Sayekti
​
Ministry of Agriculture
-
Rizghina Ikhwan
​
ASEAN FAW Action Plan Secretariat
-
Dr. Alison Watson
-
Grazelle Marren Bonacua
​
Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
-
Dr. Stefano G. De Faveri
PHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINES
University of the Philippines Mindanao
-
Dr. Emma Ruth V. Bayogan
-
Michael Angela J. Urquiola
​
University of the Philippines Los Baños
-
Dr. Celia D. Medina
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Dr. Jena Joy D. Apolinario,
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Rex Joseph D. Enabore
​
Provincial Agriculturist Office of Davao del Norte
-
Dr. Juliet Cristina M. Zambrano
​
ASEAN FAW Action Plan Secretariat
-
Dr. Alison Watson
-
Grazelle Marren Bonacua
​
Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
-
Dr. Stefano G. De Faveri
VIETNAM
VIETNAM
Can Tho University
-
Dr. Nguyen Anh Minh
-
Dr. Trinh Thi Xuan
​
ASEAN FAW Action Plan Secretariat
-
Dr. Alison Watson
-
Grazelle Marren Bonacua
Research Locations
INDONESIA
INDONESIA
Indramayu, Cirebon & Majalengka Districts in West Java Province
PHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINES
Samal and Talikud Islands
Davao del Norte Province
VIETNAM
VIETNAM
Dong Thap and Tra Vinh Provinces Mekong Delta Region
Research Participants
INDONESIA
INDONESIA
-
Household survey: 95 Farmers
-
FGD: 52 Farmers
PHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINES
-
Household survey: 100 Farmers
-
FGD: 48 Farmers
VIETNAM
VIETNAM
-
Household survey: 90 Farmers
-
FGD: 72 Farmers
Highlights
INDONESIA
INDONESIA
Men primarily handle most tasks in mango production and fruit fly management. Women are mostly involved in harvesting, sorting, and post-harvest processes, though their roles vary by region, with some contributing to fruit bagging and monitoring. Of the 74% of farmers who attended trainings, 82% were men. Women's limited access to formal training may explain why they rely more on social networks for information, while men interact more with extension workers. Farmers are highly dependent on chemical pesticides with men applying the major role in purchase and application. Women are involved particularly in washing clothes contaminated with chemical pesticides and in some cases in the disposal of pesticide containers. There are opportunities for women to actively encourage more sustainable practices such as reducing unnecessary pesticide use and supporting good agricultural practices.
PHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINES
Men in Talikud participate slightly more in fruit fly management activities than those in Samal. At the same time, women in Samal are more actively involved in monitoring, using traps, and fruit disposal than women in Talikud, but their involvement is still lower than men in general. Increased involvement of women in Samal may stem from women's exposure to training and community group participation. Most men (93%) and women (89%) respondents across both islands use chemical pesticides. Men dominate decision-making in pesticide application, crop management, and farm-related financial allocation, while women's involvement is more pronounced in household duties and financial decisions. Notably, women in Samal are more actively involved in farm activities than in Talikud.
VIETNAM
VIETNAM
Women play a vital role in mango production, particularly in weeding, disposing of fallen fruit and rejects, harvesting, and applying pesticides. Although their involvement in pesticide application and pest monitoring, is currently limited, some women are actively engaged in these areas, especially in decision-making. However, only around 10% of women have received formal pest management training, compared to 47% of men farmers - highlighting a significant training gap. This may explain why 71% of women respondents believe men are more knowledgeable about pest management. Women's significant contributions to household duties also impact their ability to engage more fully in IPM activities.
Links to the project summaries will be available here soon.
Banana and Fusarium Wilt
Duration:
This research project explored gender dynamics in banana farming and the management of Fusarium wilt disease in areas of Indonesia, Lao PDR, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Household surveys and focus group discussions with men and women banana farmers identified key roles of women and men farmers in banana production activities, knowledge and awareness of Fusarium wilt management, and involvement in farm decision-making and training.
Research Team
INDONESIA
​University of Gadjah Mada
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Diah Fitria Widhiningsih
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Dr. Alia Bihrajihant Raya
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Dr. Siwi Indarti
​
National Research and Innovation Agency
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Riska Amril
-
Tri Budiyanti
​
Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
-
Dr. Tony Pattison
​
ASEAN FAW Action Plan Secretariat
-
Dr. Alison Watson
-
Grazelle Marren Bonacua
LAO PDR
Horticulture Research Centre, National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute
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Bounpheng Sihomchanh
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Dong Bouphaphan
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Chansamone Sisouvong
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Nouphone Khamsomphou
​
Plant Protection Center, Department of Agriculture
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Pinkham Vongphachanh
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Sonehuk Thongmyzai
​
Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
-
Dr. Tony Pattison
​
ASEAN FAW Action Plan Secretariat
-
Dr. Alison Watson
-
Grazelle Marren Bonacua
PHILIPPINES
Provincial Agriculturist’s Office, Provincial Government of Davao del Norte
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Dr. Juliet Cristina M. Zambrano
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Irish C. Manalo
-
Ileisa Jean C. Betacura
​
Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
-
Dr. Tony Pattison
​
ASEAN FAW Action Plan Secretariat
-
Dr. Alison Watson
-
Grazelle Marren Bonacua
VIETNAM
Plant Protection Research Institute
-
Dr. Le Xuan Vi
-
Kim Thi Hien
-
Nguyen Tien Dung
​
ASEAN FAW Action Plan Secretariat
-
Dr. Alison Watson
-
Grazelle Marren Bonacua
-
Dr. Nguyen Anh Minh
Research Locations
INDONESIA
Sleman, Bantul, Gunungkidul
Regencies, Special Region of Yogyakarta
LAO PDR
Saravan and Sekong Provinces, in the southern region
PHILIPPINES
Municipalities of Asuncion & Braulio Dujali,
Panabo & Tagum Cities,
Davao del Norte Province
VIETNAM
Vinhtuong & Yenlac Districts
Vinhphuc Province
Research Participants
INDONESIA
-
Household survey: 106 Farmers
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FGD: 40 Farmers
LAO PDR
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Household survey: 113 Farmers
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FGD: 103 Farmers
PHILIPPINES
-
Household survey: 125 Farmers
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FGD: 42 Farmers
VIETNAM
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Household survey: 60 Farmers
-
FGD: 42 Farmers
Highlights
INDONESIA
Women in Bantul (lowland) spend more time in agricultural activities than in Gunungkidul (highland), where non-farm work is more common, and men spend less time on housework. Women in both regions, are deeply involved in post-harvest activities, showcasing creativity in food processing, like making banana stem chips. While men often dominate decision-making in areas such as planting and pesticide use, women play a crucial role in weeding and pest management decisions, often favouring organic methods. However, disparities in training access and recognition of women's abilities persist, especially in Gunungkidul, where perceptions of women's farming competence is a challenge.
LAO PDR
Women in Saravan and Sekong play a key role in pest management discussions and farm decision-making, despite men often making the final decisions. Both women and men actively participate in essential farming tasks such as weeding, harvesting, and planting, with minimal gender differences in less common activities like applying fertilisers, planting cover crops, washing and disinfecting tools, and choosing different cultivars. For managing Fusarium wilt, both genders rely heavily on information from peers and pesticide sellers, with less input sought from agricultural extension officers or local organisations. While many farmers recognise Fusarium wilt symptoms, there remains a significant knowledge gap in effective disease management. Eradication of infected plants and crop rotation are the primary management practices.
PHILIPPINES
Women play key roles in essential agricultural activities across four locations, with significant involvement in weeding, applying fertilizers, planting new banana plants, and removing infected plants, sometimes using chemical pesticides. Some farmers opt for cheaper alternatives like formalin for tool disinfection, while others use herbicides like glyphosate to eradicate infected plants. Despite efforts, some attempted to control fusarium wilt with fungicides, only to find them ineffective after investing resources. While men believe that they have more prominent role in pest and disease management and decisions on varieties, women are actively involved in critical decisions like farm financing. Interestingly, women often rely more on input suppliers for TR4 and pest management information than men, followed by agricultural extension workers. However, women have limited access to training, often due to household duties.
VIETNAM