Empowering Women Farmers: The Case of Participatory Plant Breeding in Ten Syrian Households

摘要: In agricultural development, empowerment is considered essential in order for farmers to safeguard their livelihood interests and seed- based agro- biodiversity.1 Empowerment also enable small from marginal areas participate research as more equal partners alongside scientists, thereby increasing the eff ectiveness of research.2 most farmers, rural women particular, important provide these vulnerable groups with means voice needs desires take action so that they can infl uence development improvement nutrition food security.3 Nobel Prize winner Amartya Sen demonstrates his book Poverty Famines how hunger stems disempowerment, marginalization, poverty.4 Research on Syria because its intrinsic interest a region where there relative paucity literature any aspect agriculture, particularly potential improve relevance effi cacy work.5 Th article presents fi ndings an assessment changes twelve farm three villages Syria. e context Participatory Plant Breeding (ppb) program coordinated by International Centre Agricultural Dry Areas (icarda). Scientists regard ppb innovative technological process institutional mechanism enhancing livelihoods providing improving plant varieties. By collaborating marginalized poor addresses ecological, geographical sociocultural needs.6 has been recognized approach knowledge” are some specifi c benefi ts mentioned involved projects.7 A was initiated at icarda 1996. It adopted gender- neutral involvement interested farmers. open, principle, participation both male female but it did not assess constraints. However, aft er ten years activities found only had become involved. 2006 diagnostic study carried out understand reasons absence program.8 At same time expressed strong participating program. ereaft researcher (a young, newly married Italian woman) appointed member team tasked develop, together proactive address barriers involvement. Seven Lahetha Souran have since growing trials, evaluating performance, selecting varieties, naming them. ey other organized program, such conferences meetings. From 2007 undertaken evaluated impact over period four (2007– 10). reports this question: enhance women’s empowerment, if so, how? challenges encountered give rise number refl ections meaning concept be measured understood researchers, well men concerned case