Women also sustain more than half of ACP agriculture. In recent decades, much has been achieved in empowering women within the agricultural sector. However, recent structural adjustments, and the associated drive towards increased cash crop productivity and exports, point to the need to address broader issues when considering matters affecting women farmers. It draws attention to the fact that two-thirds of the agricultural labour force in some African countries is made up of women.
Women typically work longer hours than men when producing food.
On average, they work 13 hours more than men each week in Asia and Africa. While men tend to produce cash crops, or hire out their labour, women produce the bulk of the food for local and family consumption. The key role played by women in agricultural production is not yet adequately reflected in national and international policies. If women were given the same resources as men, developing countries would see significant increases in agricultural productivity'. Within the limits of the local market, these approaches have doubtless generated income for women farmers, and have increased nutritional standards.