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Women in Agriculture; Silent Partners in Homestead Agricultural Production

F.H. Hannan
Department of Sociology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka

AK.M. A Hannan Bhuiyan
Department of Sociology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This study analyzes some useful parameters relating to the dynamics of understanding women's stratified role in agricultural production system at the homestead level. The findings indicate that women are the key actors in the homestead production processes including post-harvest operations, seed management, vegetable gardening, home forestry and livestock management, marketing of household produces. Lack of scientific management practices in carrying out those activities; absence of extension services, technical information, training and institutional credit facilities appear to be the major impediments to agricultural development. This suggests realistic policy options and interventions to enhance their level of production efficiency and better quality of life.

Keywords: Agriculture, Homestead, Women

Location: Comilla

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Performance

Objectives:

The specific objectives of the study were to identify some key variables that contribute to the structuring of the role of rural women in agricultural production with special reference to homestead production and management system and also to see its impact on the rural women's general welfare.

Methodology:

The principal method employed for this study was survey. The needed information were collected using a semi-structured interview schedule. Some selected case studies and participant observations were the other instruments used in this study. This study was conducted within the social laboratory area of Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD), Comilla. Three villages were randomly selected based on the following criteria: (a) land topography (high land, least affected by flood; medium land, occasionally affected by flood; and low land, frequently affected by flood), (b) five land owning classes and (c) women's exponsure to different development programs given by different agencies such as BARD, DAE, NGOs etc. The unit of analysis was the older female members (wives of household head) of the farm families. Because of time and financial constraints as well as the scope of study being of exploratory in nature, the sample size, drawn on random basis, was limited to 30 only taking at least two respondents from five classes of land ownership in three villages. Households were categorized into five classes according to the land ownership pattern such as (a) landless having only up to 0.02 ha of cultivable land; (b) marginal having a range of 0.02-0.20 ha, (c) small owning 0.21-0.40 ha, (d) medium having 1.01-2.00 ha and (e) large households owning more than 2.00 ha of cultivable land operated by themselves. But actual sample size was 28 as no large farmers were found in Joypur village. The survey was conducted in April-May, 1987.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 11(1 ) : 31-37, 1993 (June)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

From the findings it seems that women are active but invisible and silent partners in the agricultural production particularly at the homestead level. Their contribution to this sector could be more strengthened and result-oriented if realistic policy options and research interventions concerning women's involvement are taken into consideration. This may not only help uplift the socio-economic conditions of the rural women but also enhance their quality of life through increased productivity. Another important point is that though women's active participation in homestead agricultural production process is visible, there is a lack of scientific method of performing those activities. Their level of production efficiency and skills could be improved if they are provided with technical information, training and extension services. Policy options should be directed to identify the different areas of production concerning women so as to improve their degree of competencies and under-utilized human resources with adequate institutional arrangement and a package of production techno- logy. More studies on women's issues encompassing the social, cultural, economic and structural processes using the environmental framework and agro-ecosystem analytical tools are suggested.

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