Towards agricultural transformation: Trends in gender work patterns, perceptions and adoption of soil and water conservation practices. A mixed methods

Soil and water conservation (SWC) programs have been increasingly promoted to control erosion, yet the success of their adoption has remained far below the anticipated level. SWC adoption and perception studies have been largely documented with mixed results, but they have not examined trends and gender differences in the perception and adoption of SWC decision-making. This study employed mixed methods of data collection in Northern Rwanda. GIS mapping and t-test were used for analysis. GIS results show that cropland increased from 24% to 48% by 2010 and then % in 2020. Over the years, women have increased their participation in SWC thanks to land and gender policies that granted them equal rights as men. Cultural beliefs remain a limitation for women’s overall decision-making. Organic manure (85%), ridge farming (65%) and NPK (52%) were SWC practices adopted on plots close to the homestead. More women (60%) than men jointly participate in SWC decision-making, whereas more men (65%) participate in off-farm employment decision-making. Socio-economic and market factors significantly influence gender differences in SWC decision-making. The study recommends including social norms in the process of empowering female farmers; initiating agricultural extension education targeting women; and promoting incentives aimed at adopting multiple SWC practices.