Gender analysis in dairy farming in Tripura, India

Abstract

Indian economy is predominantly rural and agriculture oriented where dairy farming is one of the sources of income for majority of the farmers of the country. In Indian context, the farming became a familial tradition where along with the male counterparts females are also associated from the beginning of the era. Thus, a study was framed to have a look on dairy farming with the analysis of gender in dairy farming in one of the north-eastern state of India. For that purpose, both 100 male and 100 female were interviewed to weigh up their decision making pattern and activity profile (who is doing what) in dairy farming in both plain and hilly region of Tripura. The results shows that, regarding decision making pattern in both the region male members of the family (such as 88 % in Selling and purchasing of animals in plain) were most energetic rather than their female counterparts almost in all the activities. The results show a different picture in hilly region where joint decision making were important rather than plain region and participation in different activities of dairy farming males were active in purchasing of animals (96.00 % in plain) and selling of the milk (74.00 % in plain) in both the region. But the females were most active in cleaning of the animal, utensils and animal shed (83.79 % in hilly), milking (97.29 % in hilly) in both the region. It was further seen that female in the hilly region were more participating in decision making than females of plain region. The study has recommended that there is need to empower the female farther so that they can take part in farming equally with their male counterparts.