Does Gender Impact Technology Adoption in Dual-Purpose Cattle in Mexico?

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Economics
• Sociology
• Animal Science

Background:

• Dual-purpose livestock systems (DP) are crucial for smallholder farmers in Mexico.
• Understanding technology adoption patterns is key to improving farm efficiency and livelihoods.
• Gender roles in agriculture significantly influence resource access and technological uptake.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the role of women in Mexico's DP livestock system.
• To compare technology adoption networks of male and female farmers.
• To identify differences in technological focus and network centrality.

Main Methods:

• Social Network Analysis (SNA) applied to 383 small DP farms.
• Calculation of centrality measures across management, feeding, genetics, reproduction, and animal health technologies.
• Comparative analysis of network positions for male and female farmers.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in technology adoption networks, particularly in reproduction.
• Men often occupied central broker positions, while women were peripheral but connected.
• Women-managed farms were smaller but showed 20% higher milk productivity and specialization.
• Women prioritized technologies enhancing female reproductive efficiency.

Conclusions:

• Women's technology adoption strategies differ, focusing on reproductive efficiency and achieving higher productivity.
• Women farmers are integrated into male networks and can bridge external groups.
• Targeted support for women's networks can enhance DP system sustainability and productivity.