AGNES QUISUMBING: “Just helping women farmers have the same access to inputs and control of resources that male farmers have would really do a lot in terms of improving agriculture productivity, reducing hunger and malnutrition.”

Ms. Quisumbing helped write the FAO report. She says the report does not try to gain sympathy. It makes the case for women farmers based on business reasons.

AGNES QUISUMBING: “We hear a lot about how women are disadvantaged. And they tend to be very bleeding-heart arguments. But bleeding-heart arguments don’t necessarily tell heads of state to move their money.”

She says governments should support programs that help women farmers. These include financial support to help them buy better seeds and fertilizers. But she says policies in many countries also need to change.

She says many laws discriminate against women in the areas of property, labor force and marriage. Ms. Quisumbing says studies show that women are more likely than men to spend money on food, health and educating their children. And that means a better future for the next generation.

And that’s the VOA Special English Agriculture Report, written by Jerilyn Watson with reporting by Steve Baragona. You can find transcripts and MP3s of our reports at voaspecialenglish.com. You can also find us on Facebook and YouTube at VOA Learning English. I’m Bob Doughty.