International Womens Day 2023 - Feedback from the Field

In order to build inclusive, sustainable, and resilient agrifood systems we must continue to centre women in rural communities and address challenges that hinder their prosperity.  The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.” Narrowing the digital gender gap by broadening inclusive technology for women is among the key priorities for FAO. Through platforms for content delivery and mechanisms that advance digital agriculture solutions, the FAO is promoting a more digitally inclusive space for women in agriculture to embrace equity and access more opportunities.

Digital affordances are enabling our beneficiaries more ways of obtaining information through digital learning channels as you will discover from Florence Roker, one of our Hand in Hand beneficiaries in The Bahamas. The FAO's recently launched Digital Village Initiative in that country will see the establishment of digital territorial hubs; the introduction to e-commerce platforms and the provision of digital consultancy services which are expected to open new markets for women in agriculture.

This International Women’s Day, female farmers from our projects in Jamaica, the Bahamas and Belize share their experience participating in FAO projects. They also share reflections on the role and challenges for women in agriculture and fisheries.  

Delivering through digital – Interview with Florence Roker, Hand in Hand Beneficiary in The Bahamas

For just over a decade, Florence Roker has been engaged in crop farming and aquaculture. However, since her involvement in the FAO Agribusiness incubator programme, Florence has been motivated to expand and formalize her operations.

Describe the nature of your agriculture enterprise?

Roker's Green Acre Farm & Seafood is a diverse enterprise with our main focus on eggs and seafood, we also grow some vegetables and ground provision.  Our second phase will include adding an eco-tourism aspect of camping, nature walks, bird watching and visits to the nearby blue hole.

How long have you been a farmer or involved in your venture(s)?

We have been fishing for about 12 years on and off but only since participating in the incubator program, decided to set up as a business. Aa a child I enjoyed playing in the dirt and planting things, I got a kick out of seeing things grow.   We started backyard farming about 3 years ago, and we are now putting things in place to set up a 2-acre farm homestead.

How did you learn of the incubator programme?

I found out about the incubator program scrolling on Facebook.  I signed up but really didn’t think I would be selected for the program I was thrilled when I was!

What made you decide to join?

My family moved to the island of Abaco, 2 years ago and it was difficult figuring out how to go about getting farmland, doing a business plan and setting up a farm in general, these were all things the incubator promised to help with, so it was a no brainer. We were eager to sign up!

What was the FAO agribusiness incubator experience like?

It was a great experience! We looked forward to our Mondays and Wednesdays with great anticipation! We had a huge challenge with wifi connection at times due to our location but we were always able to catch up between classes when we were in better locations for the internet due to the classes being recorded and rebroadcasted via the YouTube channel.

How has the incubator programme made a difference?

It made a big difference! The program delivered on every promise!  We are now better prepared to grow our business, we can organise and plan better, we are able to set systems in place to keep track of our enterprise and can better present our enterprise to potential investors as funding is the major hindrance at this time.

Based on your experience with FAO, what encouragement would you give to other farmers or agri/aqua entrepreneurs?

To every female entrepreneur out there, I would say, Dream Big, Dream Loud and Believe in yourself and your Dream!  Then I would say commit these dreams to God, with Him at the forefront the possibilities are endless.  If by chance it doesn’t work the first time, keep trying, never give up on your dreams!

Reflections from the field

Belize – Concerns from the coast with  a challenge to change

Veronica Tun – “Enhancing Adaptation Planning and Increasing Climate Resilience in the Coastal Zone and Fisheries Sector of Belize”

Veronica Tun a fisherwoman from the south of Belize says that there is still clear disintegration within the fisheries sector. Women are not merely given the same opportunities as men much less access to resources. As a result, women feel unheard and are afraid to step up to voice their opinion.

Ms. Tun shares a favorite quote of hers that reads, “Life is full of surprises just like the Ocean, the more you SEEK the more you LEARN, so ladies DON’T be afraid to  EXPLORE.”

Veronica was part of the consultative processes throughout the project and was also involved in the Women in Fisheries Forum.

Jamaica

New Era Farmers Benevolent Society

Simone Cuthbert, from the New Era Farmers Benevolent Society is also a beneficiary of the Farmers' Organizations for Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (FO4ACP) project. Simone conveys her optimism from her experience with the programme.

“#EmbraceEquity. With the FO4ACP there is a guarantee that I will be equipped holistically to change the outlook and future of agriculture.”

Jamaica Coffee Growers Association(JCGA)

Dorienne Rowan Campbell a member of the JCGA project acknowledges the far-reaching impact of the FO4ACP in advancing rural development and livelihoods.

“Without the equitable participation and contribution of women, young and old, we will not be able to meet the UN SDGs global climate goals, nor Jamaica's Vision 2030.

The involvement with FO4ACP is facilitating, especially through the PROCASUR Learning Route and Innovation Fund, the JCGA’s expanding work on Generation Next initiative which targets young women and men living and working in coffee production areas. We are prioritizing equitable participation of young women.

The first of these inclusive workshops, focusing on soils and sustainability, to be followed with business training to encourage movement up the value chain, will take place in Cedar Valley St Thomas on March 10th.

 Thanks FAO, Thanks Procasur”.

 Golden Grove Farmer’s Association

Lurline and Lauren Less from the Golden Grove Farmer’s Association are also actively involved in the FO4ACP project. The mother-daughter duo acknowledge  the role of FAO in prioritizing women in agriculture.

“Farmers are the backbone of the society and women are the backbone of families. Without farmers we would not have access to nutritious foods to feed families and nations.

FAO is central to agriculture as it shares research findings on best practices in farming in an effort to:

1. Empower marginalized people such as women to achieve gender equality, raise healthy families and end rural poverty
2. Mitigate against climate change
3. Promote food and nutrition security
4. Achieve sustainable agriculture”

Our female farmers play an instrumental role in transforming rural economies.  FAO continues to support women in agriculture to realize more economic and social benefits.