RURAL WOMEN IN HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTION SYSTEM: SOCIO-PERSONAL PROFILE, CONSTRAINTS AND SUGGESTIONS WITH EXTENSION STRATEGIES

Abstract

Rural women are the invisible lifeline of the agrarian rural community. They are not only the pioneer of the home but they give incomparable contribution in agriculture also. To study the socio personal profile, constraints faced by rural women during their participation in household production system, suggestions to develop extension strategies, a study with ex post facto research design was conducted in three talukas named Vansda, Chikhali and Khergam of Navsari district. The interview schedule was prepared and pre-tested to collect the data. Total 120 respondents were surveyed through personal interview technique from their home, farm, office or any other workplace. Majority of the rural women were found in middle age groups belonged to joint and medium size of family, had education up to middle school level and medium level of farming experience with marginal size of land holding. They had medium level of social participation, extension participation, utilization of source of information with medium level of risk orientation, innovativeness, market orientation and self-confidence. It was found that the prescribed roles of women in society was perceived by the respondents as main constraint followed by Higher time consumption for household work, Child care and agricultural work at same time were increase work load, Poor educational background, Dominance of male members in family. Out of all suggestions to overcome the constraints mentioned by rural women, majority of them said that Transformation of society through awareness programmes on gender issues followed by Family members should give support and guidance, Due importance should be given to women in decision making, should be appointed that provide all the information about government schemes.