Allied farm activities: assessment of gender participation

Abstract

Women's contribution to agriculture -whether it be subsistence farming or commercial agriculture- when measured in terms of the number of tasks performed and time spent, is greater than men. She plays a major role in traditional agriculture but not recognized as producer. It was analyzed that the work os all those who participate in an agricultural activity on their own field was not acknowledged as direct production but merely as an extension of domestic work (Kelkar, 1985). Therefore this study was carried out to find out Uttaranchal women's role in agricultural production in farm households. The result of the study highlighted the worsen condition of the women in the field. The women mainly performed the most arduous work in the field whereas men's participation was low in such activities. Men usually participated in the activities that were either done by machines or were related to the market. Therefore social workers, NGO's and other such organizations should plan to educate women for such issues for their upliftment in the society.