Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Participation of Rural Women in Farm and Non-farm Activities: an Economic Analysis

N. Chowdhury
Post-graduate student
Department of Agricultural Economics, Bangladesh Agricultural University Mymensingh-2202

M. H. A. Rashid
Professor
Department of Agricultural Economics, Bangladesh Agricultural University Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

S. Ahmed
Post-graduate student
Department of Agricultural Economics, Bangladesh Agricultural University Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

A. Sultana
Post-graduate student
Department of Agricultural Economics, Bangladesh Agricultural University Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Rural women are silent workers and major contributors to rural economy. Their economic contributions are often appreciated but not widely recognized. The purpose of the study was to make the participation of rural women in farm and non-farm activities visible and their contribution in generating household income. Data were collected from a purposively-drawn sample of 60 rural households consisting of 20 low, 20 medium and 20 high income households. The obtained data were analyzed by using tabular and statistical techniques. Women of these three categories contributed to Tk. 19398, 24180 and 20917.50 which were 35.18, 25.11 and 14.20 per cent of total household income respectively. It was evident that, female participation of low and medium income households is markedly higher in non-farm activities than the high income households. The results of the study showed clear evidences of greater extent of women’s participation in farm and non-farm activities as well as in various household decision making events. The findings of the study suggest that, in order to enhance women participation in farm and non-farm activities and their contribution to household income, the quality and status of support service like input supply, credit facilities, extension and motivation, need-based training should be improved. A successful government and non-government collaborative programme can best address these issues in an integrated manner.

Keywords: Rural, Women, Farm, Non-farm, Participation

Location: Unia Para and Kala Para under Mymensingh sadar upazila of Mymensingh district.

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Employement

Objectives:

To assess the nature and extent of involvement of rural women in farm and non-farm activities;
To estimate contribution of rural women to household income; and
To evaluate the contribution of rural women in household decision making process.

Methodology:

The study was carried out in two villages namely Unia Para and Kala Para under Mymensingh sadar upazila of Mymensingh district. Data were collected from purposively-drawn sample of 60 households consisting of 20 low, 20 medium and 20 large income households. The households were categorized according to the level of family income as below.

Low income households i.e; Annual income less than Tk. 55,000.00
Medium income households i.e; Annual income ranging between Tk. 55,000.00 to Tk. 100,000.00 and
High income households i.e.; Annual income more than Tk. 100,000.00

Both tabular and statistical techniques were used for the analysis of the data. The annual income was measured in Taka.

Participation index of decision making process

To assess the level of participation of rural women in farm, non-farm and household decisions, the participation index was used. The scores given for different levels of participation in decision making are: (i) if other than husband and wife take the decisions, (ii) if the decision is taken by husband alone, (iii) if the decision is taken jointly by the husband and wife and (iv) if the decision is taken by the wife alone. Participation index was calculated and converted into percentage using the maximum possible participation index of 400 as 100 percent.

Source of Information: Progress. Agric. 20 (1 & 2) : 245 – 251, 2009, ISSN 1017-8139

Article Link (Online Journal): http://www.banglajol.info/index.php/PA/article/view/16878/11853

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Women are good partners of the socio-economic development of the country in general and the family in particular. They can contribute significantly to the socio-economic up liftment of the family if proper environment with facilities can be ensured. The analysis shows that women play an important role in farm activities especially in post-harvest operations, homestead gardening and livestock and poultry rearing. Economic pressure is forcing them to break away their traditional roles of housewives into farm or non-farm labourers. The finding of the present study reveals that contribution of female labour in different activities as well as in total family income was substantial. This was particularly true for low income households.

Knowledge Management: Journal