Gendered Approach to Climate Resilient Agriculture: Technology and Policy-led Options

Abstract

The study measures the perception of rural women towards changes in farming practices, and women’s involvement in agriculture in changing change context. Data were solicited from randomly selected 100 women households (WHH) from Madhubani district of Bihar, India. Survey of WHHs was undertaken using a basic set of mixed methods; combine a semi-structured schedule based survey with qualitative interviews and in-depth case studies. Study reveals that one-fourth of WHH (25%) involved as an owner cultivator followed by agricultural labour and share cropper & owner cultivator. WHHs (91%) perceived that total number of crops grown in last 10 years back had been reduced or stopped while other crops were also introduced as per suitability of crops in the area. Mostly WHHs (96%) changed the agricultural crops with some alternate crops. Fertiliser use in agriculture also changed (86%). Majority of them (80%) reported that seed rate of crops also altered. Change in labour use and machines in agriculture were also perceived. Hence, in the present context, there is need for a gendered approach. Study also documents some general & policy specific and technology-led actions for empowerment of WHHs.