Comparing the Successes of Two Irrigation Projects Using Gender Analysis

Comparing the Successes of Two Irrigation Projects Using Gender Analysis

Tim PodkulNovember 7, 2006

Tim PodkulNovember 7, 2006

Bangladesh: Chandpur Irrigation Project (CIP)Bangladesh: Chandpur Irrigation Project (CIP)

1963-1987

Major Objectives

Protect and increase agricultural production Increase agricultural employment Improve living conditions within project area

1963-1987

Major Objectives

Protect and increase agricultural production Increase agricultural employment Improve living conditions within project area

Methods for Implementation

Methods for Implementation

InfrastructureEmbankmentsCanals Water Pumps

Education ComponentsTechnical assistance with HYVAssociation building activitiesFinancial Management

InfrastructureEmbankmentsCanals Water Pumps

Education ComponentsTechnical assistance with HYVAssociation building activitiesFinancial Management

Activity Analysis for Women

Activity Analysis for Women

Summer (June-Nov)Harvest HYV rice in

Aug & NovHarvest JuteTransplanting of amonHome garden

cultivationReproductive

Activities

Summer (June-Nov)Harvest HYV rice in

Aug & NovHarvest JuteTransplanting of amonHome garden

cultivationReproductive

Activities

Winter (Dec-May)Harvest wheat, pulses

and oil seedsTransplanting Boro

(HYV pulse)Home garden

harvesting and post harvest activity

Reproductive Activities

Winter (Dec-May)Harvest wheat, pulses

and oil seedsTransplanting Boro

(HYV pulse)Home garden

harvesting and post harvest activity

Reproductive Activities

Gender Disaggregated Pre-CIP Activities Matrix

Gender Disaggregated Pre-CIP Activities Matrix

Landless Population Tenant Population Small Landowners (< 1 acre)

Midsize Landowners (1-3 acres)

Large Landowners (> 3 acres)

Women’s Activities

Reproductive Activities (fuel gathering, washing, food prep, childcare, water). Hired seasonal agricultural services as well as domestic servants.

Reproductive activities as well as post-harvest

activities including threshing, husking, winnowing, boiling

paddies to produce rice (value-added activity)

Reproductive activities as well as post-harvest work only pertaining to the home-grown crops.

They were not permitted to work outside the

house because of the observance of the purdah custom.

Reproductive activities and post-harvest work within

the home

Reproductive activities and post-harvest work for crops produced on their

land

Men’s Activities Hired Agricultural Labor for Wages

Worked the land and negotiated split of crops

Worked as sharecroppers and hired

agricultural laborers

Cultivated their own land, hired outside

labor to assist during high production

season

Managed the farms and hired farm –hands to do all of the work. Usually ran community political

organizations and religious activities

Landless Population Tenant Population Small Landowners (< 1 acre)

Midsize Landowners (1-3 acres)

Large Landowners (> 3 acres)

Women’s Activities

Reproductive Activities (fuel gathering, washing, food prep, childcare, water). Hired seasonal agricultural services as well as domestic servants.

Reproductive activities as well as post-harvest

activities including threshing, husking, winnowing, boiling

paddies to produce rice (value-added activity)

Reproductive activities as well as post-harvest work only pertaining to the home-grown crops.

They were not permitted to work outside the

house because of the observance of the purdah custom.

Reproductive activities and post-harvest work within

the home

Reproductive activities and post-harvest work for crops produced on their

land

Men’s Activities Hired Agricultural Labor for Wages

Worked the land and negotiated split of crops

Worked as sharecroppers and hired

agricultural laborers

Cultivated their own land, hired outside

labor to assist during high production

season

Managed the farms and hired farm –hands to do all of the work. Usually ran community political

organizations and religious activities

Source: Rao (1991)Adapted: T. Podkul (2006)

Gender Disaggregated CIP Results Activities Matrix

Gender Disaggregated CIP Results Activities Matrix

Landless Population Tenant Population Small Landowners (< 1 acre)

Midsize Landowners (1-3 acres)

Large Landowners (> 3 acres)

Women’s Results

Large increase in demand for post-harvest labor. Increased earnings and shorter hours

Large increase in demand for post-

harvest labor. Increased earnings and

shorter hours

No increase in outside hired labor because of

purdah, and because of the new time constraints with

their family farm production and post-

harvest demands

No increase in outside hired labor because of purdah, and because of the new time constraints with their family farm production and post-

harvest demands

No increase in outside hired labor because of purdah, and because of the new time constraints with their family farm production and post-

harvest demands Men’s Results Increased workloads,

however not proportional to

increased production due previous under-

employment

Increased work loads, but similar problems

due to under-employment

Increase in their own workloads, but did not

have significant gains to employ landless workers

Were able to hire more help, as well as sell increased crops in

market for extra cash

Hired more landless and tenant male populations

to work their lands. Increased income was a

large result.

Landless Population Tenant Population Small Landowners (< 1 acre)

Midsize Landowners (1-3 acres)

Large Landowners (> 3 acres)

Women’s Results

Large increase in demand for post-harvest labor. Increased earnings and shorter hours

Large increase in demand for post-

harvest labor. Increased earnings and

shorter hours

No increase in outside hired labor because of

purdah, and because of the new time constraints with

their family farm production and post-

harvest demands

No increase in outside hired labor because of purdah, and because of the new time constraints with their family farm production and post-

harvest demands

No increase in outside hired labor because of purdah, and because of the new time constraints with their family farm production and post-

harvest demands Men’s Results Increased workloads,

however not proportional to

increased production due previous under-

employment

Increased work loads, but similar problems

due to under-employment

Increase in their own workloads, but did not

have significant gains to employ landless workers

Were able to hire more help, as well as sell increased crops in

market for extra cash

Hired more landless and tenant male populations

to work their lands. Increased income was a

large result.

Source: Rao (1991)Adapted: T. Podkul (2006)

Conclusions from CIP Results

Conclusions from CIP Results

25% increase in family farm laborStandards of living increased

Patterns of food distribution remained the same

Increased dependence on non-beneficiary vegetable production

Increased costs or maintaining irrigation systems and overall inflation subsumed almost all increase in income

25% increase in family farm laborStandards of living increased

Patterns of food distribution remained the same

Increased dependence on non-beneficiary vegetable production

Increased costs or maintaining irrigation systems and overall inflation subsumed almost all increase in income

Philippines: The Aslong Irrigation Project

1979-1982

Philippines: The Aslong Irrigation Project

1979-1982

ObjectivesIncrease food productionRaise family income and improve the

quality of lifeGenerate employment opportunitiesInvolve farmers in the design,

construction, operation and maintenance of the irrigation systems

ObjectivesIncrease food productionRaise family income and improve the

quality of lifeGenerate employment opportunitiesInvolve farmers in the design,

construction, operation and maintenance of the irrigation systems

Design and Implementation

Design and Implementation

Beneficiaries gained access to the project by: 1) displaying an interest in the NIA

project 2) agreed to provide labor and

materials during the construction, and repay loans to NIA via the Irrigator’s Associations

Beneficiaries gained access to the project by: 1) displaying an interest in the NIA

project 2) agreed to provide labor and

materials during the construction, and repay loans to NIA via the Irrigator’s Associations

Control Over Types of Household Earnings Type of Earning and Person in Control Number of Households

(n = 90) Wage earnings of female members Women 34 Men --- Joint 10 Wage earnings of male members Women 36 Men 7 Joint 27 Proceeds from sale of paddy Women 31 Men 5 Joint 3 Earnings from garden and other non-rice crops

Women 28 Men 4 Joint 4 Earnings from livestock Women 31 Men --- Joint 7 Earnings from poultry Women 29 Men --- Joint 5 Earnings from trading Women 24 Men --- Joint 7 Source: Rao (1991)

Control Over Types of Household Earnings Type of Earning and Person in Control Number of Households

(n = 90) Wage earnings of female members Women 34 Men --- Joint 10 Wage earnings of male members Women 36 Men 7 Joint 27 Proceeds from sale of paddy Women 31 Men 5 Joint 3 Earnings from garden and other non-rice crops

Women 28 Men 4 Joint 4 Earnings from livestock Women 31 Men --- Joint 7 Earnings from poultry Women 29 Men --- Joint 5 Earnings from trading Women 24 Men --- Joint 7 Source: Rao (1991)

Activity/Type of LaborFemale Male Total Female Male Total

LAND PREPARATIONHired 0 10.3 10.3 0 8.8 8.8Family 0 25.2 25.2 0 23.3 23.3Subtotal 0 35.5 35.5 0 32.1 32.1

PLANTING/ TRANSPLANTINGHired 19.3 4.9 24.2 20.1 7.5 27.6Family 2.5 3.9 6.4 2.9 4 6.9Subtotal 21.8 8.8 30.6 23 11.5 34.5

WEEDINGHired 7.6 5.7 13.3 8.4 4.6 13Family 7.2 10.1 17.3 8.7 9.6 18.3Subtotal 14.8 15.8 30.6 17.1 14.2 31.3

HARVESTING/ THRESHINGHired 19 13.2 32.2 17.1 15.9 33Family 5 6.3 11.3 0.9 2.2 3.1Subtotal 24 19.5 43.5 18 18.1 36.1

OTHER FIELD ACTIVITIESHired 2.4 6.4 8.8 2.7 9.7 12.4Family 0 5.2 5.2 0.1 4.6 4.7Subtotal 2.4 11.6 14 3.8 14.3 18.1

LABOR SUPERVISIONHired 0 0 0 0 0 0Family 6.2 4.2 10.4 5.6 2.9 8.5Subtotal 6.2 4.2 10.4 5.6 2.9 8.5

ALL RICE FARMING OPERATIONSHired 48.3 40.5 88.8 48.3 46.5 94.8Family 20.9 54.9 75.8 18.2 46.6 64.8

TOTAL 69.2 95.4 164.6 66.5 93.1 159.6

DRY SEASONWET SEASON

Average Labor Requirements (person-days per hectare) of Rice Farms, Crop Year 1985-1986

Activity/Type of LaborFemale Male Total Female Male Total

LAND PREPARATIONHired 0 10.3 10.3 0 8.8 8.8Family 0 25.2 25.2 0 23.3 23.3Subtotal 0 35.5 35.5 0 32.1 32.1

PLANTING/ TRANSPLANTINGHired 19.3 4.9 24.2 20.1 7.5 27.6Family 2.5 3.9 6.4 2.9 4 6.9Subtotal 21.8 8.8 30.6 23 11.5 34.5

WEEDINGHired 7.6 5.7 13.3 8.4 4.6 13Family 7.2 10.1 17.3 8.7 9.6 18.3Subtotal 14.8 15.8 30.6 17.1 14.2 31.3

HARVESTING/ THRESHINGHired 19 13.2 32.2 17.1 15.9 33Family 5 6.3 11.3 0.9 2.2 3.1Subtotal 24 19.5 43.5 18 18.1 36.1

OTHER FIELD ACTIVITIESHired 2.4 6.4 8.8 2.7 9.7 12.4Family 0 5.2 5.2 0.1 4.6 4.7Subtotal 2.4 11.6 14 3.8 14.3 18.1

LABOR SUPERVISIONHired 0 0 0 0 0 0Family 6.2 4.2 10.4 5.6 2.9 8.5Subtotal 6.2 4.2 10.4 5.6 2.9 8.5

ALL RICE FARMING OPERATIONSHired 48.3 40.5 88.8 48.3 46.5 94.8Family 20.9 54.9 75.8 18.2 46.6 64.8

TOTAL 69.2 95.4 164.6 66.5 93.1 159.6

DRY SEASONWET SEASON

Average Labor Requirements (person-days per hectare) of Rice Farms, Crop Year 1985-1986

Source: Rao (1991)

The percentage of work load is consistent year round, however the quantity still changes dramatically!

The percentage of work load is consistent year round, however the quantity still changes dramatically!

=

Female vs. Male Labor During Dry Season

42%

58%

Female

Male

Female vs. Male Labor During Wet Season

42%

58%

Female Male

Female vs. Male Labor During Wet Season

42%

58%

Female Male

Evaluation and Impact Methodology

Evaluation and Impact Methodology

Community studies evaluating land use, labor utilization, and access issues

Recording of life histories according to the women’s point of view

Cross-cutting surveys of irrigation benefits to both members and non-members of the irrigation associations

Community studies evaluating land use, labor utilization, and access issues

Recording of life histories according to the women’s point of view

Cross-cutting surveys of irrigation benefits to both members and non-members of the irrigation associations

Levels of Control by SexLevels of Control by Sex

Preconstruction Phase Construction Phase Operation & Maintenance (post-project)

Developing the Irrigator’s Association (IA)

Designing system facilities, undertaking surveys and field inspections to finalize the system design, and negotiating for Rights of Way (ROW)

Preparation for farmer’s participation in construction

Construction

Monitoring Costs, materials, and farmers contributions in the project

Contributions to the association’s equality in the project

Organizational restructuring prior to O&M

System management

System Maintenance

Water Distribution

Fee Collection/

Financial Management

M/f M/F M/f m/F F/m F/m M/f M/f m/f M/F M/f

Preconstruction Phase Construction Phase Operation & Maintenance (post-project)

Developing the Irrigator’s Association (IA)

Designing system facilities, undertaking surveys and field inspections to finalize the system design, and negotiating for Rights of Way (ROW)

Preparation for farmer’s participation in construction

Construction

Monitoring Costs, materials, and farmers contributions in the project

Contributions to the association’s equality in the project

Organizational restructuring prior to O&M

System management

System Maintenance

Water Distribution

Fee Collection/

Financial Management

M/f M/F M/f m/F F/m F/m M/f M/f m/f M/F M/f

Source: Rao (1991)Adapted: T. Podkul (2006)

AIP ResultsAIP Results

Average size of farms for those within the irrigation zone decreased by 0.1 hectare

Population growth rate of 2.7% compared with rice production annual increase of 9.0%

Irrigation Association members saw no increase in availability of labor. Non-members did however

Women were pressured to increase their earnings from their trading activities outside the home

Average size of farms for those within the irrigation zone decreased by 0.1 hectare

Population growth rate of 2.7% compared with rice production annual increase of 9.0%

Irrigation Association members saw no increase in availability of labor. Non-members did however

Women were pressured to increase their earnings from their trading activities outside the home

Which project was more successful?

Which project was more successful?

Can we be objective, given that the cultural settings were drastically different in each project location?

Does that impact the effectiveness in raising people’ standards of living?

Are the there concrete comparison we can make between the two cases?

Can we be objective, given that the cultural settings were drastically different in each project location?

Does that impact the effectiveness in raising people’ standards of living?

Are the there concrete comparison we can make between the two cases?