Women have always played an essential role in agriculture, but their contributions have been overlooked or undervalued. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, women comprise about 43% of the agricultural labor force in developing countries where they are engaged in crop production, animal husbandry, and food processing.
Through their activities, women generate income for their families, support the local economy, and significantly contribute to rural development. Despite their impact, women in agriculture face greater challenges than men. Typically, they have limited access to resources such as land, credit, and crop management information compared to their male counterparts. This prevents them from maximizing their potential.
Women’s empowerment is crucial for achieving sustainable development goals and food security. Digital tools can enable women to participate more effectively in agriculture, enhance their productivity, and improve their livelihoods.
However, the reach of digital technology among women in agriculture, particularly in developing countries is still limited, and the gender gap in mobile phone ownership is even wider in rural areas where women normally lack access to basic infrastructure and services.
Despite these challenges, several initiatives are underway to promote the use of digital technology among women farmers to bridge the digital divide.
Rice Crop Manager: An online decision support tool for precise nutrient management
In collaboration with its national partners across Asia, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) incorporated the site-specific nutrient management-based algorithms into a web-based decision support tool called the Rice Crop Manager (RCM). RCM provides field-specific recommendations based on the 4R nutrient management principle, i.e., the right source, time, amount, and place, through a one-page printout and text messages to the farmer’s phone.
Launched in 2013 in the Philippines, farmers across the country have benefited from the recommendations provided…