Advocating for gender-responsive and disability-inclusive knowledge management for African agricultural transformation

Authors

  • Sharon Oluwadamilola Abiodun International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Nigeria
  • Ishmael Kgosietsile Maikano
  • Kgothatso Lovey Tshipo Ministry of Water and Human Settlement, Botswana
  • Wilfrid Adjimoti
  • Mthokozisi Kwazi Zuma Agricultural Research Council

Keywords:

policy brief, knowledge management, agricultural development, gender inclusion, disability inclusion, participatory knowledge sharing, inclusive agriculture, capacity building, women in agriculture, persons with disabilites, food security, Africa, transformation, policy recommendation

Abstract

This policy brief advocates for a gender-responsive and disability-inclusive approach to knowledge management in African agriculture. Despite their substantial contribution to the agricultural workforce, women and persons with disabilities remain marginalized in accessing, creating, and utilizing agricultural knowledge. Barriers include biased content, inaccessible information formats, limited participation, and socio-economic constraints. The brief presents best practices such as inclusive content design, participatory methods, and targeted capacity building. It outlines a policy vision that prioritizes equity, accessibility, and empowerment through robust institutional frameworks, funding mechanisms, and partnerships. A participatory knowledge café identified practical strategies and stakeholder-driven solutions to enhance inclusivity. By transforming agricultural knowledge management systems, we can unlock the full potential of marginalized groups, boost productivity, and contribute to food security and sustainable development across Africa. The article was written as part of the Knowledge Management for Agriculture Development (KM4AgD) Challenge 2024, an initiative of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and collaborating institutions.

Author Biographies

Sharon Oluwadamilola Abiodun, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Nigeria

Sharon Oluwadamilola Abiodun is a communications professional and certified Knowledge Manager for Sustainable Agricultural Development. She currently works as an Audio-visual assistant in the Communication Unit at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), where she contributes to knowledge sharing through content development, audio-visual production, and strategic communication. With a background in Communication Arts and a growing interest in agricultural communication, Sharon is passionate about using storytelling and media to support knowledge transfer, sustainability, and youth engagement in agriculture across Africa. Her work also reflects a strong commitment to gender and disability inclusion in knowledge systems and development initiatives

Ishmael Kgosietsile Maikano

Ishmael Kgosietsile Maikano is an information specialist, (Librarian). With basic knowledge in Intellectual property rights and Patent Search by World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and currently managing the Resource Centre at the National Agricultural Research and Development Institute (NARDI)of Botswana, a member of CCARDESA, and a certified Knowledge Manager by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA).

Kgothatso Lovey Tshipo, Ministry of Water and Human Settlement, Botswana

Kgothatso Lovey Tshipo is a Knowledge Management specialist with a Bachelor’s Degree in Information and Knowledge Management (Knowledge Management) attained at the University of Botswana and is also a Certified Knowledge Manager for Sustainable Agriculture. She has worked at the National Agricultural Research and Development Institute (NARDI) in Botswana, where she contributed to the building of an expert and farmer database for knowledge sharing and fostering of collaboration between stakeholders in Agriculture. Kgothatso now works as a Private Secretary at the Ministry of Water and Human Settlement in Botswana.

Wilfrid Adjimoti

Wilfrid Adjimoti (PhD) is a Research Assistant at the University of Parakou, Benin, specializing in natural resource economics. He is a certified Knowledge Manager by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA). His work focuses on how Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) contribute to poverty reduction and gender equality in Sub-Saharan Africa. He has actively contributed to United Nations initiatives, particularly with UNDP, supporting youth empowerment and food security in West Africa, including Sierra Leone. Currently, Wilfrid is involved in the project "Fungal Conservation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Implications for Livelihood and Sustainability," which aims to restore mushroom habitats while enhancing local communities’ resilience and livelihoods. His research bridges ecological restoration and inclusive rural development

Mthokozisi Kwazi Zuma, Agricultural Research Council

Mthokozisi Kwazi Zuma (PhD) is a South African agricultural scientist and public health nutrition expert. Dr. Zuma currently serves as the Manager of Advisory Services in the Smallholder Agricultural Development Unit at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) in Pretoria. He is also a research fellow in the Division of Human Nutrition at Stellenbosch University. In his capacity as ICKM South Africa’s National Focal Point for CCARDESA, he contributes to regional agricultural development initiatives. His work emphasizes food systems, community nutrition, and sustainable agriculture. Additionally, Dr. Zuma is a certified Knowledge Manager by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), underscoring his expertise in knowledge management within the agricultural sector. He is committed to advancing regional collaboration and knowledge management in agriculture.

References

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Published

2026-05-26

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Policy Briefs

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Copyright (c) 2025 Sharon Oluwadamilola Abiodun, Ishmael Kgosietsile Maikano, Kgothatso Lovey Tshipo, Wilfrid Adjimoti, Mthokozisi Kwazi Zuma

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The copyright of the articles published in this journal remains the property of the authors. For liability reasons, the title belongs to the Foundation for the Support of the Knowledge Management for Development Journal. The journal is published under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike License. This journal is currently an open access journal as it has a funding model that does not charge readers or their institutions for access. From the BOAI definition [1] of "open access", we support the rights of users to "read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of these articles." However, some of the content (2009-2012) is only available on the Taylor and Francis website. Within the next few months, this issue too will become available on the OJS. [1] http://www.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/boaifaq.htm#openaccess

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