Women’s roles in integrated pest management: gendered perspectives from mango farming in Indonesia

Abstract

Area-Wide Integrated Pest Management (AW-IPM) has been promoted to reduce pesticide dependence and improve the sustainability of mango production. However, empirical evidence on how gender relations shape its implementation remains limited. This study examines gender dynamics in mango IPM in West Java, Indonesia, using the Harvard Gender Framework. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining household surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and differential analysis, while qualitative evidence was used to triangulate and enrich the findings. The results reveal significant gendered differences in labor division, access to agricultural information, training opportunities, and participation in pest management decision-making. Women contribute substantially to household financial management, pest monitoring, and orchard sanitation, yet have significantly fewer opportunities to access technical training, farmer organizations, and extension services. The findings further reveal a perception gap between women and men regarding women’s participation in mango farming, suggesting that women’s contributions remain insufficiently recognized despite their active involvement in both household and farm management. These inequalities may reduce the inclusiveness and effectiveness of AW-IPM implementation. This study demonstrates that successful AW-IPM implementation depends not only on technical innovations but also on recognizing and strengthening women’s existing contributions to farm management.