84
adopt and the resources available at their disposal. In extreme ECV, majority of
male respondents indicated that they were responsible for making decisions in their
households. For example, the majority of male respondents (60.8%) reported that
they made the decisions on the rice varieties to be grown, as opposed to women
(7.7%) and both spouses (26.6%). Women complained that although they could
make important decisions, they were denied this opportunity by their spouses.
Others confirmed that their spouses were cooperative and that they gave made decisions jointly. Majority of the youths also had limited opportunities to make decisions, especially on the rice varieties to be grown by the household. Male domination
in decision-making related to which crop variety to grow can be explained by the
findings in Table 1, to the effect that 91% and 75% of the land were owned by husbands in upland and lowland rice production systems.
Decisions on Factors to Consider when Changing Rice Varieties
Decisions to determine the choice of rice varieties to be grown as reported by both
men and women were based on good yields, tolerance to stress, market demand for
rice, recommendations from agriculture departments, and recommendations from
non-governmental organizations (NGOs). In this regard, although the majority of
men indicated that they were more informed and also had more access to these services compared to women, findings indicate that majority of women were also
knowledgeable and informed, and they made similar observations regarding the criteria they used in determining change in rice varieties. Figure 13 indicates the percentage ratings by men and women of the factors that determined the decision to
change a rice variety.
Figure 13 shows that majority of the respondents reported that good yields and
tolerance of variety to stress were not only important but very important when making decisions on whether to change rice varieties for planting. The majority of
respondents (73.9%) however indicated that they did not change their rice varieties
during ECV event conditions. This was mainly because they lacked the new rice
varieties with the preferred traits that were mentioned as a basis for decisionmaking. In comparison, 39.5% shifted from crop to livestock and 21.1% increased
the number of crops they were growing to spread the risks of losing everything.
Other factors also considered very important in determining the decisions made
when choosing rice varieties include advice from NGOs, availability of capital,
availability of water, market demand, suitability of soil and land, and farmers’
access to seeds and fertilizers.
Factors to Consider when Changing Cropping Patterns
In relation to changes in cropping patterns, decisions to change were based on good
yields, tolerance to stress, market demand, recommendations made by the National
Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), and availability of water. Both male
T. Akongo and C. Chonde
adopt and the resources available at their disposal. In extreme ECV, majority of
male respondents indicated that they were responsible for making decisions in their
households. For example, the majority of male respondents (60.8%) reported that
they made the decisions on the rice varieties to be grown, as opposed to women
(7.7%) and both spouses (26.6%). Women complained that although they could
make important decisions, they were denied this opportunity by their spouses.
Others confirmed that their spouses were cooperative and that they gave made decisions jointly. Majority of the youths also had limited opportunities to make decisions, especially on the rice varieties to be grown by the household. Male domination
in decision-making related to which crop variety to grow can be explained by the
findings in Table 1, to the effect that 91% and 75% of the land were owned by husbands in upland and lowland rice production systems.
Decisions on Factors to Consider when Changing Rice Varieties
Decisions to determine the choice of rice varieties to be grown as reported by both
men and women were based on good yields, tolerance to stress, market demand for
rice, recommendations from agriculture departments, and recommendations from
non-governmental organizations (NGOs). In this regard, although the majority of
men indicated that they were more informed and also had more access to these services compared to women, findings indicate that majority of women were also
knowledgeable and informed, and they made similar observations regarding the criteria they used in determining change in rice varieties. Figure 13 indicates the percentage ratings by men and women of the factors that determined the decision to
change a rice variety.
Figure 13 shows that majority of the respondents reported that good yields and
tolerance of variety to stress were not only important but very important when making decisions on whether to change rice varieties for planting. The majority of
respondents (73.9%) however indicated that they did not change their rice varieties
during ECV event conditions. This was mainly because they lacked the new rice
varieties with the preferred traits that were mentioned as a basis for decisionmaking. In comparison, 39.5% shifted from crop to livestock and 21.1% increased
the number of crops they were growing to spread the risks of losing everything.
Other factors also considered very important in determining the decisions made
when choosing rice varieties include advice from NGOs, availability of capital,
availability of water, market demand, suitability of soil and land, and farmers’
access to seeds and fertilizers.
Factors to Consider when Changing Cropping Patterns
In relation to changes in cropping patterns, decisions to change were based on good
yields, tolerance to stress, market demand, recommendations made by the National
Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), and availability of water. Both male
T. Akongo and C. Chonde