A Co-Design Approach to Integrating Gender into the Cacao Value Chain in Davao City, Philippines

Co-Designing Gender Integration into Davao’s Cacao Value Chain

Abstract

The specific needs and challenges of women and their contributions are often not integrated when developing interventions and policies targeted to improve agricultural value chains. Therefore, this study developed a codesign approach to creating solutions to improve gender relations in agri-food value chains. Specifically, it focused on the cacao value chain in Davao City, which is located in the southern Philippines. Co-design is a highly participatory approach in which solutions are designed with, and not just for, the people who have lived experiences of the problems being addressed. The approach emphasizes understanding gender-related barriers and opportunities to inform government interventions that improve value chain efficiency and ensure equitable distribution of benefits. The co-design framework and protocol were developed and tested with 22 men and 20 women from farmer group associations, local and regional government offices, industry leaders, major cacao processors, and the academe in Davao City, Philippines, in 2022. The pilot testing resulted in recommendations and policy implications for improving gender equality, thereby demonstrating the applicability of the co-design approach in developing gender-sensitive solutions. These include creating a culturally sensitive ecosystem, providing incentives for gender-responsive and inclusive businesses, prioritizing gender-sensitive research and development projects, and promoting social labelling, certification, and products produced by women. While its impact on gender responsiveness is yet to be fully determined, the co-design framework developed from this study is a promising step toward providing a structured approach to integrating gender perspectives into agricultural value chain development, ensuring that future interventions are both inclusive and sustainable.