The Crop-Animal Systems Research and Extension Network (CASREN) is a project implemented by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) under the funding assistance of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The project’s general objective is to improve the productivity of crop-livestock systems among small hold rainfed farmers. Moreover, it aims to to disseminate applicable technological interventions, recommend policy changes, and enhance the capability of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS). Five countries cooperated in this project, namely; Thailand, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Part of the project output is a gender training manual and a study of the situation of women through analysis of existing gender relations. This was considered as an important aspect in determining appropriate development interventions where both men and women become active participants.
Like other manuals on gender training, this manual aims to equip users of the basic concepts and framework on gender and development and serves as a practical guide for the conduct of trainings on gender. This is intended for development workers assigned in rural rainfed areas where crop-animal system is practiced.
The manual is composed of six modules. Module 1 discusses the concepts on gender and development, and development approaches toward gender equality; Module 2 provides information on the situation of women in CASREN country program areas such as Indonesia; Thailand, Vietnam, and China. Module 3 presents gender in agriculture; Module 4 contains the national policies and programs for the advancement of rural women; Module 5 gives gender framework for development planning while Module 6 explains and illustrates the monitoring and evaluation of gender development programs.
