A recent report emphasizes the need for increased nutrition investments in the agri-food sector. The report argues that such investments can help reduce gender inequalities, boost productivity, and enhance business resilience.
Report Overview
- Foundation: Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), based in Switzerland.
- Title: “The Case for Investment in Nutritious Foods Value Chains: An Opportunity for Gender Impact.”
- Focus: The report advocates for increased funding in nutritious food value chains, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that lack access to financing in emerging markets.
Gender Disparities in Agri-Food Sector
- Global Workforce: Women make up 38% of the global agri-food workforce (FAO).
- Regional Disparities:
- Sub-Saharan Africa: Women comprise 66% of the workforce.
- South Asia (including India): Women account for 71% of the workforce.
Barriers Faced by Women
Women in the agri-food sector face several challenges:
- Access: Limited access to land, inputs, finance, extension services, and technology.
- Social Norms: Discriminatory norms and legal frameworks hinder financial independence and contribute to risky employment conditions and gender-based violence.
Importance of Nutrition Investments
- Food Security: Nutrition investments are crucial for achieving food security and strengthening food value chains.
- Business Case: Investments can enhance supplier productivity, business resilience, and workforce loyalty, particularly by attracting and retaining women.
- Economic Impact: Reducing gender inequalities can increase women’s farm yields by 20-30% and potentially boost global GDP by 1%, or nearly $1 trillion.
Geographic Focus and Opportunities
- Sub-Saharan Africa:
- Cashew Nuts: Africa is the largest producer, but only 10% of processing is local. Women dominate manual shelling and sorting. Investment in local processing facilities is needed.
- South Asia:
- Tomatoes: India is the second-largest producer. Women play a significant role in cultivation and processing but have limited resource control.
2X Criteria for Gender-Lens Investments
- Updated Framework: The 2X Criteria (June 2024) provides a standardized approach for investments with a gender lens.
- Focus Areas: Leadership opportunities, quality employment, finance, enterprise support, and products/services enhancing economic participation.
Impact Potential
- Inclusion: Gender-lens investments can improve the inclusion and treatment of women in male-dominated value chains like aquaculture.
- Representation: Addressing the lack of women in leadership and supporting female entrepreneurship across value chains.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the primary focus of GAIN’s recent report?
- A) Reducing global food waste
- B) Increasing investments in nutritious food value chains
- C) Promoting agricultural technology
- D) Expanding international trade agreements
- According to the FAO, what percentage of the global agri-food workforce is female?
- A) 25%
- B) 38%
- C) 50%
- D) 66%
- In which region is the participation of women in the agri-food sector the highest?
- A) Sub-Saharan Africa
- B) Latin America
- C) North America
- D) South Asia
- What is the impact of reducing gender inequalities in agriculture according to the FAO?
- A) Decrease in global GDP
- B) Increase in women’s farm yields by 20-30%
- C) Reduction in food security
- D) Lower workforce productivity
- Which value chain in Sub-Saharan Africa shows a significant role of women but limited local processing?
- A) Tomatoes
- B) Cashew Nuts
- C) Aquaculture
- D) Quinoa
- What does the 2X Criteria framework focus on?
- A) Technology innovation
- B) Gender-lens investments
- C) Environmental sustainability
- D) Global trade regulations