Abstract
In Pakistan, livestock is playing a considerable role in the country’s economy, agricultural development and fulfilling the domestic dairy needs of households. We cannot negate the prominence of females’ participation in this sector. This study is organized to identify the involvement of rural women in managing dairy farm practices. Data was collected from 120 rural women who were participating in dairy farm activities in District Okara through purposive sampling technique with the help of a well-structured interview schedule. The results showed that mostly young women in the age group of 19 to 38 were involved in dairy farm practices. 60.0% of the respondents were illiterate and almost 65.0% family’s occupation was agriculture. 32.5% respondents were involved in dairy farm practice from 6 to 10 years while half of the respondents were spending their 8 to 10 hours in these activities. Their involvement in on-farm activities was unpaid and considered as their domestic duty. Mostly, they were involved in managing on-farm sustainable dairy practices that includes; fodder cutting, watering, cleaning Chad and taking care of animals. Their participation and management of on-farm activities should be documented and acknowledged. The government should focus on female’s education and paid participation in agricultural activities. Keywords: Women participation, On-farm livestock management practices, District Okara, Punjab, Pakistan
Highlights
Agriculture is backbone of our country’s economy and sharing 19.3% of GDP of the country this shares decreases in these years (Economic Survey of Pakistan, 2019-20)
Keeping in view the situation that Pakistani women are contributing in on-farm dairy activities as well as fulfilling their domestic responsibilities without any recognition and monetary reward, the present study aims to monitor the following objectives:
Rural women strongly participate in livestock activities in Punjab and in other provinces of Pakistan, like other world (Luqman, 2013)
Summary
Agriculture is backbone of our country’s economy and sharing 19.3% of GDP of the country this shares decreases in these years (Economic Survey of Pakistan, 2019-20). The contribution of livestock remains 58.55% in agriculture value addition Despite all these important facts, the role of women in livestock sector is unrecognizable until now. They are Mahmood, Khan & Mahmood helping in taking care of livestock including; to take them for grazing, look after them, to make dairy products and in the sale of milk and prepared dairy products in addition to their household duties. Women pay much more time in dairy farming but their decision power is very poor (Riasat, 2014) They are participating in agricultural activities like, sewing and cultivation of crops. They are working till dawn to dusk but their contribution is underprivileged. There is a dire need to study the challenges of the women who participated in livestock production and management as they are contributing a significant share in agriculture development and uplifting the country’s economy
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have