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Enhancing the productivity of crops through the adoption and uptake of technologies improves farmers' socioeconomic status through increased market participation. However, smallholder farmers in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) face a myriad of challenges that make it difficult for them to access and participate in the output markets. Like most SSA countries, the uptake of improved technologies is still low in Malawi. This study examines the relationship between the uptake of improved potato seed and donor‐funded training on market participation. Using secondary data from 393 potato farmers in Malawi, the study applied a triple‐hurdle model to examine the extent to which such interventions and other socioeconomic and institutional factors influence market participation. The results showed that male‐headed farm households, more experienced farmers, and those who participated in International Potato Center (CIP)‐led training were likely to market their potato output. Further, farmers closer to urban centers, those with off‐farm income, those who had participated in potato training, use of improved potato seed, and quantity of output positively influenced the decision to sell in high‐value markets such as supermarkets. On the other hand, land size, ownership of transport equipment, group membership, and access to credit had positive effects on the amount of potatoes sold, while the distance to the markets reduced the quantity sold. Based on these findings, there is a need to set up a seed system within the local communities where farmers can easily access the seeds. Additionally, there is a need for a collaborative effort between public and private sector stakeholders to invest in the production of improved potato seeds that would help to address the shortfall in supply. Finally, institutional support interventions that utilize farmer groups as a key entry point in sustaining training on improved potato seed, relaxing credit constraints, and promoting diversification into off‐farm enterprises would enhance potato production and marketing. Core Ideas: Better access to improved potato seed is essential for food security.Inadequate training and seed supply constrain potato production.Access to good seed and training are key to market participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper explores the interaction between extension services and gender relations in order to suggest ways and strategies that can be useful in ensuring that extension services are gender-equitable and empowering for women. Design/Methodology/Approach: In total, 35 sex-disaggregated focus group discussions with farmers, and 4 interviews with extension officers were conducted in Dedza and Ntcheu districts. Data on the type of training offered, training participants recruitment methods, as well as data on barriers to and opportunities for training were collected. A social relations approach, focusing on gender relations, was used to analyse the data. Findings: Underlying gender norms and cultural norms mediate access to information. For instance, some men regard themselves as representatives of their households during training and, to some extent, extension officers reinforce these views by using biased training recruitment methods. Gender norms related to household decision-making impact on the ability of women to access training opportunities. Practical implications: Agricultural extension should not be a purely technical programme focusing only on good agricultural practices. It should also embed modules aimed at addressing social practices that disadvantage some people, particularly women, as well as adopt gender sensitive recruitment methods that do not rely on male-biased recruitment channels. Originality/Value: The social relations approach used, focusing on gender relations, is aimed at trying to come up with the conditions necessary for agricultural training to be empowering for women. This paper is therefore of interest to extension agents and other development practitioners interested in women's empowerment and the transformation of gender relations.

This paper explores the potential for potato farmer groups to empower women in Malawi. It does this by examining how social and gender norms in communities, including the distribution of power, resources and responsibilities, may have an impact on the ability of farmer groups to empower female group participants. In total, 35 sex-disaggregated focus group discussions with farmers, and 4 interviews with extension officers were conducted in Dedza and Ntcheu districts. Data on social and gender norms that may promote or constrain the participation of both men and women in groups and limit their benefits were collected and analyzed. A social relations approach, focusing on gender relations, was used to analyze the data. A key finding was that, underlying gender and cultural norms may affect the ability of women to participate actively in groups as well as to take advantage of the empowerment potential of groups. Findings suggest that while farmer groups have the potential to empower women, reproduction of societal gender roles within groups may result in male bias, constraining the ability of groups to empower women. Key implications are that agricultural research organizations interested in women's empowerment should work closely with partners who have experience in women's empowerment because farmer group participation may not empower women if underlying social issues that result in gender inequality are not addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]