Supporting Uptake of Time and Energy-Saving Technologies

Michelle Winthrop of Farm Africa (Food & Agricultural Research Management) in the United Kingdom will lead a team of community development experts to support 300 women farmers in Ethiopia to access and use existing technologies such as weeders and seed drills that substantially reduce the labor intensity of growing maize and sorghum. There are many cultural and social barriers that have prevented widespread adoption of new technologies in these settings, particularly for women. To overcome these barriers, they will use a holistic approach, educating communities and local government to promote cultural and social acceptance of the technologies. They will also work with the women's groups to support trial, use and financing, and with local small-medium enterprises for manufacturing and maintenance.