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Economic Empowerment of Haor Women Through Duck Farming in Bangladesh

Romaza Khanum
Department of Agricultural Economics and Policy, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet

Muhammad Salim Al Mahadi
Planning, Development and Works, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A study was conducted to investigate the extent of women participation in duck rearing farm and to address women's economic empowerment in Hakaluki haor area of Maulvibazar district in Bangladesh. Primary data from 80 women duck raisers were collected through face to face interview. In this case haor women played an important role in the duck rearing activities which were carried out to explore the meaningful interpretation of women's present status. The result of the study revealed that duck rearing farming has exerted greater impact on improving socioeconomic condition and economic empowerment of haor women. The successful duck farming provides the women with economic independence and improved livelihood leading to their empowerment.

Keywords: Women participation, Hakaluki haor, Economic empowerment, Socioeconomic condition, Improved livelihoods

Location: Kandigaon, Radhanagar, Brahman Bazar and Routhgaon under Kulaura Upazila of Maulvibazar area

Start Date: 00-04-2013

End Date: 00-07-2013

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Duck

Objectives:

To search the level of participation of haor women in duck rearing as well as level of women empowerment in intra- household decision making process.

Methodology:

In this study, the survey method was used. Four villages vig. Kandigaon, Radhanagar, Brahman Bazar and Routhgaon under Kulaura Upazila of Maulvibazar District were purposively selected. Twenty women duck raisers from each village were randomly selected and thus total sample size became 80. The locale of the study belongs to Hakaluki haor area, highly favorable for duck rearing, specially for desi duck. The haor is the cheaper source of feed like aquatic weeds, various types of insects, tadpoles, earthworms, oyster's snail and crabs, a variety of small fishes, green forages etc. Different fallen grains are also other sources of nutrients for ducks (Ahmed, 1986) in those areas. Duck rearing is therefore, one of the major income generation opportunities. About 29% of the respondent's livelihood earning comes from selling duck and eggs in the area. Both primary and secondary sources of information were used for figuring the overall situation of women in duck rearing activities. The primary data were collected by means of a pre-tested and a set of well-structured interview schedule germane to the objectives of the study. The secondary information was collected from different published paper, report, BBS etc. Both closed and open-ended questions were used to see the economic impacts of duck rearing activities on women's household income, their savings, decision making power, and role of participation. A group of participatory techniques like face to face interview and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was used with the women duck raisers through check lists and finalized interview schedule after necessary changes, correction, modification and adjustment. Focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted to determine women involvement in home-based small farming and cross verify the information collected through interview schedule. A total of eight FGDs were conducted through two sessions in each village, comprising ten women duck raisers. The main information were collected from haor women consisting of educational level, age, occupational status, ownership of land, decision making process, economic empowerment and participation in duck rearing activities, and finally get their suggestions to improve duck rearing activities as well as increase supply of egg and meat. Data were collected during April to July 2013. Several visits were made for gathering data and information. The collected information were coded, tabulated and analyzed using appropriate statistical methods.

Source of Information: The Agriculturists J3( 1): 18-25 (2015), ISSN 2304-7321 (Online), ISSN 1729-5211 (Print)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The study explored the present socioeconomic status, participation level in duck rearing, and empowerment of haor women in intra-household decision making process. It might be concluded that haor women were in more suitable position for duck rearing, who were also more experienced to have cash inflow to meet up the family needs through the age-old traditional practices. Recently, the growth performance of desi ducklings could be improved by supplementation of improved diets under scavenging system of duck rearing. Duck production is one of the promising sectors for empowering women to meet the family needs as well as commercial. The study revealed that haor women were more vulnerable in case of low educational level, landlessness in both cultivated and homestead, and limited scope of better occupational status. It was evident that the most housewives were illiterate and were involved in duck rearing. The level of education, contribution to family income, increased participation in home based income generating activities and involvement in decision making process were important parameters indicating their improved empowerment. This implies that more interventions need to be undertaken by the public and private agencies to help the haor women get involved in duck rearing activities. This would serve as an incentive to them in the haor areas.

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