Status of women’s participation in agriculture in Bihar an analysis

Abstract

India is a developing and predominately agrarian economy. India’s 70 percent population lives in rural areas, and 60 percent of those households engage in agriculture as their main source of livelihood. In developing countries, Agriculture is like an engine of growth and the backbone of developing nations. In developing countries, it is the main occupation of the poor. Women play a multidimensional role in agriculture, contributing to every aspect of the industry from planting to harvesting crops and being active in associated fields. Several women, in developing countries, are major producers of food. only about 63 percent of economically active men work in agriculture, as compared to 78 percent of women. It is observed that women play a significant role in agricultural development and allied activities including main crop production, sector like cattle management, dairying, beekeeping, goat-rearing mushroom production and poultry, livestock production, horticulture, post-harvesting operations etc. About 70% of farm work is performed by women who are active primary sector agents. Women farmers do not have equal access to productive resources and this significantly limits their potential in enhancing productivity. The present study focuses on the nature and extent of female participation in the agriculture development of Bihar using secondary data.