Historically women have been involved in agriculture in almost every country but in today’s world they still do but maybe not to the extent which they did in the past. Here in Guyana, they have worked in the rice and sugar fields and on the cash crop farms as well, and they still do. Amerindian women in particular have always been integrally involved in agriculture.
Indeed it is one of the fields in which women could contribute tangibly towards the reduction of poverty in their respective communities.
It was therefore encouraging to have heard Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud extolling the virtues of women’s involvement in socio-economic development.
“It is evident that women play a central role in our society,” he said. “Rural women produce half of the world’s food and, in developing countries, between 60 and 80 per cent of food crops.”
The Agriculture Minister explained that in Guyana, there is recognition of the fact that any strategy aimed at poverty alleviation and agricultural development must ensure that women are included, either as part or even as drivers of the process, if it is to be successful.
He said, “This Government is cognizant of the fact that maximising the impact of agricultural development on food security entails enhancing our women’s roles as agricultural producers as well as primary caretakers of their families.”
Persaud added that this is why his ministry’s Agricultural Diversification Strategy has a distinct gender focus.
He was at the time addressing the Rural Women’s Network (RWN) annual general meeting.
It is also good to hear of the reassurance of the minister that the government is committed towards facilitating women’s involvement, especially in the rural communities, in agricultural activities.

The Agriculture Minister noted that other measures are being put in place to advance the interest of women in agriculture.
“With these projects, we will have enacted what is referred to as a national strategic plan for the empowerment of women through agricultural trade,” he posited.
This is indeed the direction in which to go because it will certainly help women to empower themselves and elevate themselves, families and communities out of poverty.
However, it must be ensured that projects aimed at improving the living conditions through the involvement of women in the agriculture sector must be implemented and managed in an efficient manner or else their aims and objectives would likely be defeated in the long term.
The contribution of women to development cannot be ignored because it is immeasurable and for too long this has gone unrecognised in our society.
According to the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO): “Rural women make a tremendous contribution to food and agricultural production. They also play a crucial role in determining and guaranteeing food security and well-being for the entire household. Equitable, effective and sustainable agriculture and rural development cannot be pursued without an explicit recognition of these realities. In a global atmosphere of increasing poverty, food insecurity, rural out-migration and environmental degradation, all potential actors in development must be given the support and access to resources they need to pursue sustainable livelihoods and strategies for a better life. Within this context, women’s empowerment will be central to raising levels of nutrition, improving production and distribution of food and agricultural products, and enhancing the living conditions of rural populations.”