The implicit gender dimension of policy instruments in agriculture: The case of Kenya

Résumé En

The objective of this discussion is to assess the mechanisms that are considered important to secure the effectiveness of gender integration in public farm advisory intervention. A tangible case study from Kenya is presented. A set of two policy devices combined with two action guidelines is used for the assessment, resulting in four policy instruments.The policy instruments are;(1) direct public farm advisory services via gender mainstreaming; (2) direct public farm advisory services via affirmative action ; (3) and Public-Private Platforms via gender mainstreaming ; (4) Public-Private Platforms via affirmative action. The literature review illustrates a changing policy landscape (with present and emerging action guidelines and policy devices), where possible exclusion mechanisms in regards to women’s priorities, needs and expectations seem to be emerging. Based on this type of exante analysis, we can conclude that it gives the possibility to compare the different limits and advantages of a certain policy instrument (regarding effectiveness for women to dispose of the adequate knowledge to implement and sustain their agricultural projects). In addition, we expect to be able to determine whether or not these emerging policy devices and action guidelines, e.g. knowledge-based platforms, compared to less recent ones, comprehend properties potentially increasing the discriminating factors against women and widen ingthe gender equality gap. Conclusively, based on the results and discussion, there is a larger socio-political concern behind the choice of policy instruments as they does not seem to be directly linked to the needs and priorities of the target group. It is also possible foresee an eventual discrepancy between the priorities, expectations and needs of rural women and the implicit gender dimension in policy instruments.