1. Gender, dairy development and Africa: developing international support networks. Professor Margaret Grieco, Institute for African Development, Cornell, University and Transport Research Institute, Napier University. email: mg294@cornell.edu mg294@cornell.edu

2. Abstract: This presentation focuses on the role that international support networks can play in developing women’s dairy participation in Africa. This presentation focuses on the role that international support networks can play in developing women’s dairy participation in Africa. It explores the role that dairy production can play in the economic empowerment of African women and identifies the role that new information communication technologies can play in this process. It explores the role that dairy production can play in the economic empowerment of African women and identifies the role that new information communication technologies can play in this process. The linking of dairy institutes elsewhere to African development needs is a critical step in the gender dairy development story. The linking of dairy institutes elsewhere to African development needs is a critical step in the gender dairy development story.

3. The importance of networks International support networks can play an important role in developing womens’ dairy participation in Africa but as of now such networks are not well formed and are fragmented. International support networks can play an important role in developing womens’ dairy participation in Africa but as of now such networks are not well formed and are fragmented. International support networks are important as mechanisms for capitalisation of African women farmers, for the development of appropriate microfinance and knowledge transfer and knowledge development structures. International support networks are important as mechanisms for capitalisation of African women farmers, for the development of appropriate microfinance and knowledge transfer and knowledge development structures.

4. Dairy production as a path to women’s economic empowerment Dairy production can play an important role in the economic empowerment of African women. There are already examples of women’s goat clubs in a number of Africa locations which indicate the scope for such activities Dairy production can play an important role in the economic empowerment of African women. There are already examples of women’s goat clubs in a number of Africa locations which indicate the scope for such activities New information communication technologies can play an important part in linking up local projects and extra local markets and knowledge. New information communication technologies can play an important part in linking up local projects and extra local markets and knowledge.

5. The transfer and development of appropriate small scale technology for women’s dairy projects can be better progressed and harnessed through the utilisation of new information communication technologies aligned to active gender agricultural networks. The transfer and development of appropriate small scale technology for women’s dairy projects can be better progressed and harnessed through the utilisation of new information communication technologies aligned to active gender agricultural networks.

6. Linking up Africa with its dairy potential The linking of dairy institutes elsewhere to African development needs is a critical step in the gender dairy development story. The linking of dairy institutes elsewhere to African development needs is a critical step in the gender dairy development story.