Perception and gender in technological innovation for sheep producing systems in east Michoacán.

Technology in farming systems has been considerate an element for the agricultural development, needed to increase competitiveness. The work’s main objective was to determine whether or not the gender has an influence on technological innovation and the perception of produces about the producing farming sheep systems. The study was made in the municipalities of Epitacio Huerta and Contepec, Michoacan, Mexico.  The information was gathered in 47 production units, handled by 24 women and 23 men, all sheep-producing people. Participatory techniques and a questionnaire were used to gather data which was validated by the producers of the content. Regarding the producer’s perception with respect to the activity, there were only open questions. All considered variables were related to education, experience, work, capacitation needs, and producer’s vision towards technological innovation. Results show low innovation levels, associated to a poor human capital, which is influenced and limited by low education, producers’ experience and their need of new knowledge. Women tend to innovate more; small family working groups, producers’ vision to a productive activity, which influences directly or indirectly on the technological innovation decision making process.