Gender differences in smallholder farmers’ use of information sources to cope with drought in Masindi District, Uganda

The study was conducted to determine gender differences in farmers’ use of information sources, the perceived characteristics of those sources, and the perceived effectiveness of the messages to cope with drought. A cross-sectional survey was implemented for 313 respondents (167 men and 146 women) in Masindi District. Results showed that both men and women farmers embraced extended farming practices such as early planting at the onset of rains, growing of short-term crops like beans, and growing drought resistant crops, to mention but a few, to cope with drought. Men and women differed significantly in reporting information sources (2 = 8.117, p <0.05). 85% of the women and 77% of the men obtained the information from fellow farmers, majorly male. Over 80% of the men and women perceived fellow farmers to have positive communication behavior, and farming innovativeness, but women perceived these characteristics of fellow farmers more favorably than men. Similarly, the majority of men and women reported that fellow farmers were effective in terms of ‘usefulness of information’, ‘timeliness of information’, ‘affordability of information’, ‘accuracy of information’, ‘relevance of information’ and ‘ability of the information obtained to address problems faced’. Women’s perception of relevance of the information obtained from fellow farmers was significantly higher than of men (U=6764.000, p<.001). For other sources, 80% of the women and 43% of the men relied on farmers’ organizations, while 78% of the men and 21% of the women relied on local government extension for information. Women perception of the reliability of the information obtained from local government was still significantly higher than that of the men (U=3264.500, p<.05). Therefore, fellow farmers remain important and reliable sources of information to cope with drought for farmers, especially the women; and a gender gap exists as far as access to government extension services is concerned. Extension agencies including local governments, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and farmers’ organizations need to identify and work with reliable fellow farmers as conduits for appropriate information. Incentives for such farmers may also be put in place to ensure long-term commitment.