Empowering tribal farmwomen through livestock and poultry enterprises in Goalpara district of Assam

Abstract

The empowerment of selected tribal and ethnic farmwomen through livestock and poultry enterprises in Assam's Goalpara district was investigated focusing on the Rabha, Garo, Hajong and Koch-Rajbongshi communities. The research aimed to assess their varying participation levels and the correlation between extent of participation and women empowerment. Data was collected using a comprehensive interview schedule and collection was conducted from January to March 2021, from a total of 200 respondents. The results revealed significant participation variations among communities, with the Garo tribe showing heightened involvement in livestock and poultry rearing which indicated that despite differing participation levels, perceived empowerment did not significantly differ among tribes. Excluding the Garo tribe, most tribal farmwomen exhibit low participation levels. There is a need of tailored awareness programs, technological advancements, and skill development initiatives for farmwomen, advocating for timely delivery of inputs and incentives to augment participation and foster socio-economic improvement.