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Rural Women's Participation in Aquaculture: Experience of a Technology Dissemination Project

M.H. Rahman
Professor
Dept. of Agricultural Extension Education, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensngh

M.R. Amin
Assistant Director
Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation, Rajshahi Station

K. Naoroze
Assistant Director
Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation, Rajshahi Station

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was undertaken to have understandings on rural women's extent of participation in some selected aquaculture practices as a result of a technology demonstration project intervention in two selected districts in Bangladesh. The study also aimed at exploring relationships between the women's nine selected characteristics and their participation in aquaculture practices. Nakla upazila under Sherpur district and Katiadi upazila under Kishoreganj district were the location of the researcher where a sample of 200 women were randomly drawn from a population of 394 eligible rural women. Data were collected by using a pre-tested structured interview schedule 'during September to December, 2004. An overwhelming majority (72.5%) of the rural women had 'very low' level of participation in aquaculture activities while 13% had 'low' participation. However, no woman was found having 'high' participation and 12.5% were found having 'no' participation in aquaculture practices. The respondents had low to negligible level of participation in majority of the ten selected aquaculture practices. Rural women's participation in aquaculture practices had significant and negative correlation with their education, family farm size, family size and family annual income. Only knowledge on aquaculture had a significant and positive relationship with participation in aquaculture.

Keywords: Rural women. Participation, Aquaculture, NGO

Location: Sherpur and Kishoreganj districts of Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-09-2004

End Date: 00-12-2004

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Adoption of technology

Objectives:

The present work was aimed at determining extent and nature of women's participation in aquaculture activities under the DSAP intervention.

Methodology:

Locale, population and sample: The study was conducted in Sherpur and Kishoreganj districts of Bangladesh. The DSAP had a number of partner NGOs who were in charge of dissemination of appropriate aquaculture technologies among the fish farmers of these localities. Two such partner NGOs, namely Foundation for Human Development (FHD) and Centre for Rural and Environment Development (CRED) were selected for the study while women members of the demonstration farmers' families under these NGOs were the target population. The women were selected following the criteria that they were involved in aquaculture activities under the DSAP intervention for at least three years. A total 394 rural women were identified in the study area that fulfilled the criteria; while a sample of 200 women were randomly selected for the present study. Instrument and method of data collection: In order to collect data required for the study a structured questionnaire was developed keeping the objectives of the study in mind. A number of scales were used in the questionnaire to secure necessary information. The draft questionnaire was pre- tested with 20 women in the study area and necessary modifications were made in it from the experience of pre-testing. Data were collected from the selected rural women through face to face interview during the months of September to December, 2004. Besides the quantitative method of data collection, four focus group discussion sessions were also conducted. Measurement of participation in aquaculture: Rural women's level of participation in aquaculture was actually perceived as their participation in ten common aquaculture practices. The aquaculture practices considered for the purpose were: pond excavation, removing weeds from pond, liming, use of insecticides, application of fertilizers, management of fish stock, feeding, disease checking, catching of fry/fish, and selling of fry/fish. Participation of a respondent in each of the above- mentioned aquaculture activities was measured by considering two dimensions of participation, namely (i) frequency of participation and (ii) share of workload. The frequency of participation score was measured by using a 4-point rating scale, where a respondent was asked to indicate her frequency of participation in a particular aquaculture activity. The weights were assigned as 0 for 'no participation', 1 for 'rare participation', 2 for 'occasional participation' and 3 for 'frequent participation.' The share of workload score was determined by using a 3-point rating scale. A respondent was asked to indicate her share in an aquaculture activity and the weights were assigned as 1 for 'conducted mainly by men' , 2 for 'fairly shared conduction' and 3 for 'conducted mainly by women (the respondent)'. Thus, a participation score was computed by using the following formula: Participation score = Frequency of participation score x Share of workload score Thus, participation score of a respondent in a particular practice could range from 0 to 9, where 0 indicating no participation and 9 indicating the highest level of participation. The total participation score of a rural woman was obtained by summing her scores in all the ten selected aquaculture activities. Thus, the total participation score of a rural woman could range from 0-90, zero indicated no participation and 90 indicated the highest level of participation. Analysis of data: The collected data were compiled and analysed by using computer software SPSS 11.0 version. Besides the descriptive statistical techniques like mean, standard deviation and rank order, Pearson's Correlation Coefficient (r) was used to interpret the results of the research.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Journal of Extension Education Volume 19, No. 1&2,2007:89-96; ISSN 1011-3916

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Although women participation in aquaculture is now being emphasized by a good number of development organizations, the results of the study indicate that the level of participation has not been substantially increased even in a project intervention like DSAP. The reasons behind such low participation are also discussed in the paper. A concerted effort along with pragmatic strategy both from the GOs and NGOs including development partners of Bangladesh can play a vital role to change the scenario. A better understanding of the existing gender relations in the community and the households must be gained by the organizations working for the development of aquaculture. Formulating gender sensitive aquaculture extension programs along with a good number of female extension agents in the grassroots level can better motivate rural women's participation in aquaculture. More importantly, an organization while working with women participation issue must incorporate regular monitoring activity in its programme so that their activities or participation in aquaculture can be re-focused regularly.

Knowledge Management: Journal