Innovation for whom? The case of women in cattle farming in Nusa Tenggara Barat, Indonesia

Rising beef demand in Indonesia, driven by population growth and urbanisation, presents an opportunity for local cattle producers to increase their domestic market presence. To create sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems, investments in innovation and capacity-building are essential. Using a case study, this research examined the influence of gender dynamics on the adoption of cattle farming innovations in Indonesia. Despite substantial research on gender and innovation in developing countries, limited attention has been paid to this issue in the Indonesian context. To address this gap, we conducted focus group discussions and key informant interviews with female farmers and extension officers to identify the challenges that rural Indonesian women face in accessing cattle farming innovations. Our findings reveal that women’s inclusion in innovation is constrained by multiple issues, such as the invisibility of their contributions, their limited influence in decisionmaking processes, and complex sociocultural and institutional factors that perpetuate the concept of gender harmony, which contributes to the subjugation of women. To promote gender equality and enhance rural wellbeing in Indonesia, we recommend for a comprehensive transformation of policy and institutional approaches to women’s empowerment and the implementation of gender-transformative policies in the agricultural sector.