Empowerment of women smallholders through systematic agricultural advisory programs: A socioeconomic evaluation

Abstract

Across South Asia, women contribute 55-75% of farm labor yet access fewer than 12% of advisory services. This research assessed socioeconomic outcomes of a 14-month systematic advisory program for rural women farmers in Bangladesh using a quasi-experimental design comparing 218 participants with 196 non-participants across Mymensingh and Tangail districts (January 2021 to March 2022). Agricultural knowledge scores rose by 37.8% (p<0.001), household farm income increased by 28.4% versus 6.2% in controls, and decision-making participation improved from 31.6% to 54.2%. Crop management skills represented the largest empowerment outcome (31.4%). Training attendance was the strongest predictor of gains (Beta = 0.29). These findings confirm that targeted extension interventions meaningfully improve rural women's productive capacity.