An exploratory study on women’s participation in maize production system in Telangana state

Abstract

The present study was conducted in Maheswaram mandal of Ranga Reddy district, Telangana. One hundred farm women engaged in Maize production system were selected through purposive random sampling technique. Nearly 67 percent of the farm women surveyed were above 35 years old and had more than 15 years of farming experience (50%). Most of the female workers were involved in agricultural activities like sowing, weeding, fertilizer application and harvesting of maize. Though they had their own land, many of them were working as labourers in others’ field. Technologies used in farmers field was Tractor, Gampa (basket), Kalvara, Kodavali. Postures adopted while performing different agricultural activities were i.e., Sitting, Squatting, Kneeling, Standing and bending. Discomfort experienced in various body parts while working were Shoulder, Upper arm, Lower arm, Waist, Lower back and Knee. Work demand was there in manually performing agricultural activities. Feeling of exhaustion was experienced. Posture assumed in work was very difficult. Workers perceived the manual loads operation as heavy load and it was very painful.