Women Farmers Research Articles

Ergonomics assessment of drudgery in rice-wheat production system in India: a case study of women farmers

Farm women are often forced to work in extremely hazardous conditions due to their limited access to improved agricultural technologies. This circumstance makes agricultural work physically demanding, requiring significant physiological effort and the maintenance of good posture. It is also very exhausting, time-consuming, and stressful. The study was designed to evaluate and quantify the drudgery involved in the rice-wheat production system for rural women. Three replications of a 10-min work cycle without a break were used to assess the physiological and postural demands of various farm tasks on the female workers. Observations were recorded on farm women workers who were in normal health, without any major illness, and regularly involved in farm operations. In the attempt to obtain and analyze the prioritized drudgery experiences in crop production activities through drudgery assessment and reduction, various ergonomically sound farm tools and implements were provided for crop cultivation and intercultural operations. Data indicating musculoskeletal disorders were analyzed by ergonomics assessment of postural and biomechanical assessments using the Human Physical Drudgery Index (HPDI), resulting in the maximum drudgery reflecting very high risk in transplanting (48.4%), followed by threshing (47.2%), load carrying (46.00%), and harvesting (45.14%). For physiological ergonomics quantifications, the most drudgery-prone activities in the rice-wheat production system, i.e., transplanting, harvesting, threshing & post-harvest, and load carrying, were evaluated, and it was found that drudgery is caused by different activities with reflects working energy expenditure rate ranging from ~7.00 to 12.00 (kJ/min) and total cardiac cost of work (TCCW) ~ 331.00 to 524.00. Multivariate regression analysis was employed to drive relationships between energy expenditure rate (dependent variable) and other independent variables, such as age, body mass index (BMI), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), calf circumference (CC), skinfold measurements, body density (D), % body fat, fat mass, and fat-free mass (kg). It was found that energy expenditure rate during various crop production practices is positively correlated with independent variables (R = 0.721, R2 = 0.520, Adjusted R2 = 0.518, Standard Error of Estimate = 0.0324, Durbin-Watson = 1.531). It was found that with higher physiological parameters, the corresponding energy expenditure is maximized relating to the drudgery in respective agricultural activities. The present study addressed the magnitude of drudgery for women farmers in the rice-wheat production system and its mitigation strategy.

Managing Extreme Climatic Variability: A Study of Rice Based Farming in Assam, India

Assam has been experiencing the adverse effects of climate change and its most common manifestation is the increasing frequency of extreme flood in the pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Lakhimpur and Dhemaji are the two districts that have been subjected to severe flood every year and in recent years have been experiencing soil erosion, sand-silt deposition in rice growing areas. The present study was therefore attempted in these two districts to find out the impact of extreme events in agriculture and social activities of the farmers in flood affected areas and to find out their responses and coping mechanisms during extreme climate variability. The result of the study revealed that both men and women farmers have been experiencing changes in the weather patterns with longer duration of hotter days and shorter duration of cold days. They have been experiencing frequent drought and frequent flood accompanied by soil erosion, sand and silt deposition in their rice fields affecting their farming activities. The area and production of rice/pulses/oilseeds had decreased to a great extent due to sand-silt deposition. During extreme flood livestock and fish production also decreased due to diseases and decreasing swampy areas/ponds. Availability of food, fodder and fuel had been affected for which the time taken for collecting fodder and fuel has increased. The impact of extreme climate events resulted in increasing indebtedness, wage labour, migration of young men in search of employment and school dropout of children. In response to such extreme climate events farmers had learned to adapt themselves through diversified farming by branching out into livestock production, change in cropping pattern, increasing the area of rabi crops cultivation, adopting non-farm activities such as wage labour in neighbouring districts/states, shop keeping, fishing and selling dry fish etc. women have adopted non-farm activities such as weaving, fishing and selling local brew. The priority adaptation needs of these men and women farmers are stress tolerant varieties of rice in flood affected areas, stress tolerant crops in sand deposited areas, training on scientific crop and livestock production, poultry etc. Women need training on improved techniques of loom and designing so as to fetch good price of their products as well as livestock and poultry production.

Economic Benefit from Nutrigarden to Farmwomen of Wanaparthy District, Telangana, India

Nutri-garden is an important concept that helps to combat malnutrition by producing diverse kinds of vegetables for rural families. YFA-KVK, Mahabubnagar-I demonstrated the Nutrigarden concept amongst 100 families of three mandals namely Madanapuram Kothkota and Wanaparthy of Wanaparthy district. The present study was taken-up to analyze the economic impact of the Nutrigarden along with perceived constraints faced by the farmwomen. The demonstrations on Nutrigarden improved their understanding in successful adoption of the concept. The total beneficiaries covered were 100 with an area of 1000sq.meters each, which accounts to 10 ha. as a whole. From this said area farm women as a whole were able to generate a total amount of Rs. 30592.09/- from kharif vegetables and Rs. 26604.78/- from rabi vegetables. Therefore, the total income from vegetable was Rs. 57196.87/- from an area 10 ha. Including both the seasons excluding home consumption. Besides, there are few perceived constraints in successful adoption of Nutrigarden. Overall analysis revealed that time consuming, lack of backyard and front yard space availability for Nutrigarden, Unaware of the economic advantage of Nutrigarden and lack of knowledge on pest and disease management were amongst the major constraints as perceived by farmwomen.

Peran Penyuluh pada Pengembangan Kelompok Wanita Tani (KWT) di Kecamatan Selupu Rejang

Research on the role of extension workers in the development of women's farmer groups (KWT) in Selupu Rejang District, Rejang Lebong Regency aims to analyze the role of extension workers in the development of Women Farmers Groups (KWT) in Selupu Rejang District. The research was conducted in January 2022 in Selupu Rejang District, Rejang Lebong Regency, Bengkulu Province. Determination of the location is done intentionally (purposive sampling) with the consideration that this location is the center of agriculture in the Rejang Lebong highlands which has many farmer groups, one of which is the Women Farmers Group (KWT). This study has two types of primary data that are processed and analyzed, namely quantitative data and qualitative data. Qualitative data from the questionnaires in this study were collected and the answers were studied which then coded the data to obtain quantitative data. The collected data was statistically processed using SPSS for Windows and Microsoft Excel. Checking the completeness and consistency of the answers on the questionnaire sheets, diaries, and audio recordings was carried out at the stage of studying the answers to the questionnaire. The Microsoft Excel program was used at the data coding stage where all quantitative data obtained from the complete and per variable questionnaire answers were entered into the Microsoft Excel program. The stages in analyzing the data are Validity Test, Reliability Test, Likert Scale Analysis and Hypothesis Testing. The role of extension workers is very important in the development of the Women Farmers Group (KWT). Judging from the three categories, namely the role of the instructor as a mentor with a score of 77% in the high category, it can be said to be growing because KWT has been able to innovate by creating new things in farming activities and can also think that farming activities are not only limited to planting but can also perform processing in order to increase the selling value of agricultural products.

Linking Women Farmer Perceptions and Knowledge of Soil Health to Climate-Smart Coffee Cropping Management

Coffee cropping is very sensitive to global warming, thus affecting coffee growers, particularly women farmers and their economies. As unpredictable weather continues to limit the suitability of the majority of traditional coffee-growing regions, women farmers are applying climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices as a means of climate change mitigation and adaptation through healthy soil identification. Healthy soil is an important indicator that determines the sustainability of coffee cropping under CSA practices. This study determined women farmers’ knowledge of soil health indicators and perspectives on CSA practices in the coffee cropping region of Sumatra, Indonesia. The qualitative analysis based on the interviews and focus group discussions from 90 women farmers revealed that the most common soil health indicators were soil color and soil organic matter, while the least common was soil ecology. The best climate-smart coffee cropping practices were from the agroforestry system and the least were observed in the long-term conventional tillage system. Over 80% of women farmers express a strong belief in the effectiveness of soil health indicators for implementing successful climate-smart farming methods. The majority of the women recognized the importance of the use of cover crops and strategies to prevent soil erosion. Knowledge about the benefits of soil amendments and intercropping was limited. Women farmers need to have more opportunities for training on various aspects in soil management as a mechanism for climate change adaptation as well as to improve their land for the sustainability of coffee production and their resilience in coffee farming. In order for the farm communities to make the full transition to CSA practices, the success factors and benefits of this management must be demonstrated to the coffee farmers.

Problems faced by farm women in the field of agriculture in Koch Bihar district, West Bengal

Problems faced by farm women in the field of agriculture in Koch Bihar district, West Bengal

Dynamics and role of hill farm women in agricultural production activities in Mid Hills, Sub Humid Agro Climatic Zone of Himachal Pradesh

Dynamics and role of hill farm women in agricultural production activities in Mid Hills, Sub Humid Agro Climatic Zone of Himachal Pradesh

A scale to measure entrepreneurial behaviour of dairy farm women

A scale to measure entrepreneurial behaviour of dairy farm women

Comparative study on two different weeders on efficiency and ergonomic parameters for farm women

Comparative study on two different weeders on efficiency and ergonomic parameters for farm women

Nutritional status and physical activity pattern of rural farm women

Nutritional status and physical activity pattern of rural farm women

Entrepreneurship training and assistance for group businesses in Karangploso District, Malang Regency

BUMDes (Village-Owned Enterprises) and KWT (Women's Farmers' Groups) in villages play a crucial role in fostering rural economic growth. Therefore, it is essential to bolster the entrepreneurial spirit among members of these groups. Community service activities conducted in Karangploso District, Malang Regency, aim to enhance the management capacity of BUMDes and KWT through training and mentoring approaches. The training targeted the chairpersons of BUMDes in Bocek Village and the leaders of KWT from all villages in Karangploso District. Training materials covered entrepreneurial motivation, business management, and product marketing. Post-training support was provided through the establishment of a social media group for consultation and discussion on group business activities. Topics included initiating new businesses, digital marketing, and business accounting. Ongoing mentoring activities were facilitated through social media and site visits as necessary. The outcome of this training and mentoring initiative was an increase in entrepreneurial motivation among participants. This heightened motivation translated into proactive identification and pursuit of business opportunities, generation of new product or service ideas, and enhanced participation in developing skills and knowledge related to business management, marketing, and finance.

Factors influencing the participation of women farmer groups in agricultural extension in Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi

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The Strategy Analysis of Empowerment for Women Farmers Group Kedurus in Surabaya City

In this research we will look at socio-economic conditions and ultimately analyze what strategies are appropriate and effective for women farming groups in Kedurus, Surabaya city. The aim of the research is to first explain the socio-economic conditions that exist among members of the women farmer group in Kedurus. Second, analyze and describe how empowerment strategies are appropriate to the needs, characteristics and abilities of women farmer group members in Kedurus. This research began in July and ended in August 2023. The objects of this research were 28 female farmer members in the Kedurus. This research uses a census method where all members are the object of research. This research uses SWOT analysis to describe how empowerment strategies suit the needs, characteristics and abilities of women farmer group members in Kedurus.

Food Consumption, Purchasing and Dietary Pattern of Farm Women in Dharwad District, Karnataka State, India

Present study was undertaken to analyze the socio-economic and nutritional status of women involved in farm activities and to know the impact of nutri-farms on food, nutrition and health security. Using 300 farm women in Chamarajanagar district. Health and nutritional status assessment, food intake, nutritional adequacy and screening for iron deficiency anaemia and KAP study on health and nutrition was conducted. Malnutrition is still one of the crucial problems in developing countries which is relationship between nutrition and health among a majority of the population. The objective of the study was dietary pattern of before and after intervention. This paper tries to analyze the food consumption and dietary pattern of women involved in farm activities and to know the impact of nutri-farms on food and nutrition security by using of 500 farm women in Dharwad district. A well-structured questionnaire was framed to gather the information on dietary pattern of the subjects was assessed by 24– hour diet recall method before and after intervention. The results revealed that, Among cereals, rice was consumed daily (90.4%) by all the families, where as food intake was observed that Pulses (67.67), milk and milk products (167.60), roots and tubers (67.80), GLV’s (47.17), other vegetables (96.47), fruits (37.33), fats and oil (17.70) consumption is very low when compared to RDA whereas consumption of cereal was on par with the recommended dietary allowances. The mean nutrient intake of energy (1794.5 kcal), protein (36.95 g), fat (17.95 g), iron (18.98 mg) and Vitamin C(42.85 mg) were less when compared to the RDA. The results shows that all nutrients and food intake consumption was found inadequate.

Gender Inequality in Social Forestry Management of Baduy Farmers in Lebak Regency

Baduy are attached to the forest, and the environment depends on forest management. On the other hand, the role and involvement of Baduy women are no less important in forest management to encourage food security for them and their families. This research uses the theory of gender equality; it aims to capture the gender gap in forest management through social forestry programs in the Baduy community to encourage food security. By using a qualitative descriptive method, this research seeks to let reality reveal itself naturally. The study results show that gender inequality still exists in managing social forestry in the Baduy community. This gender inequality can be seen in the minimum absence of access for Baduy women involved in social forestry management. The domestic role of Baduy women dominates in food security efforts through social forestry, but the public role of Baduy women farmers is almost nonexistent. Women's control over social forestry is also limited to the domestic role in the household. In contrast, control in forestry is held by male farmers, with all decisions in the hands of men, making it difficult for women to be present and actively involved. However, this social forestry benefits both male and female farmers, whereas women obtain these benefits indirectly through their husbands, who are actively involved as managers of social forestry.

Drivers of adaptive capacity of rural women farmers: The role of climate action and information mediums in rural Ghana

AbstractGender‐differentiated roles, responsibilities, access, rights, and knowledge gaps shape women's vulnerability to climate change. This is especially critical for women farmers whose livelihoods are climate‐dependent. A key component in building women farmers’ resilience to climate change is deepening their adaptive capacity. Therefore, this research sought to measure the adaptive capacity of women farmers from two unique districts of Ghana using the sustainable livelihood capitals and investigate how access to climate information and the uptake of climate action can influence women's adaptive capacity. Rural women farmers (n = 497) were interviewed through a survey and supported with key informant interviews from six agricultural staff at the selected districts. The adaptive capacity of respondents was rated moderate at 0.405. Differences between the adaptive capacity of women from different agroecological zones (Dormaa East—0.422; East Gonja—0.388) were statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). All climate information mediums except the TV medium had a significant prediction on women farmers’ adaptive capacity. The odds of a decreasing relationship of predictor variables, such as extension officer medium, radio, and adaptation action, require strategic structuring to accrue holistic benefit. The study thus recommends deepening women's benefit from extension services by attracting and retaining female extensionists, while training extensionists on tailored techniques for engaging female farmers. Again, extensionists who report high outreach to female farmers should be incentivized. Traditional and modern Information and Communication Technology mediums must be explored and integrated as alternatives. Co‐benefit practices for both adaptation and mitigation should be encouraged among women farmers to deepen climate action.

Exploring the on-farm Potential of Improved Sorghum Varieties for Scaling in Dry Lowland Areas of Ethiopia

Feeding the world's growing population has become a global issue due to climate change, which has resulted in low agricultural productivity. Although an attempt has been made to feed this growing population by introducing improved agricultural technologies that boost productivity, the sustainability of these technologies is not promising as farmers insist to use traditional method of production. The study was conducted in the districts of Gololcha and Shanana Kolu to investigate the on-farm potentials of Melkam, Tilahun, and Argiti varieties. Melkam had a higher grain yield (3628 kg/ha) than Argiti (3234 kg/ha), Tilahun (3050 kg/ha), and the districts average sorghum productivity (2320 kg/ha). The mean yield comparison results of yield performances revealed a significant difference (p0.05). Melkam variety had the highest net benefit of 97,432 ETB. The higher gross margin (97,432 ETB per hectare) was received from Melkam with marginal benefit advantage of 57,306 ETB over the local, Argiti (44,698) and Tilahun (38,810 ETB) per hectare. The mean weight score of the selected traits revealed that grain yield and injera-making quality were the top priorities for women farmers, while grain yield and earliness were the top priorities for men farmers. The preference of the men and women found to be different which indicates considering gender needs during scaling of technologies. As a result, it is recommended that Melkam variety to be scaled up with the recommended production practices in the study areas and areas with similar agroecology to improve production and farmers' income.

Women’s Awareness Towards their Entrepreneurial Behaviour in Tumkuru and Chikaballapura District of Karnataka, India

Indian women are evolving, and they are quickly establishing themselves as prospective entrepreneurs. To break down conventional perceptions on men's and women's sectors, women in non-traditional business sectors should be role models. In nearly every country, women-owned businesses are fast-growing economics. The main objective the study was to explore the awareness of farm women regarding entrepreneurial development in Tumkuru and Chikkaballapura distrcits of Karnataka state over the years 2021-2022 to determine farm women's understanding of entrepreneurial development. From each of the district 500 respondents were identified for the collection a total of 1000 respondent’s data were collected by simple random sampling method. The results revealed that dimension wise awareness indicated that high preference for self-awareness & initiative to start a business, awareness regarding education & training and legal or procedural awareness were (40.20%, 37.80% and 56.00%) in Tumkuru district. Where as in Chikkaballapura it was high in awareness regarding education & training 55.60 per cent respectively. Overall awareness of farm women regarding entrepreneurial development was found to be high in Tumkuru (51.80%) as compared to Chikkaballapura district (46.80%). Hence, knowledge gap has a significant impact on women's development. As a result, both the government and non-government organizations should take the initiative to educate and motivate surviving women to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities.

A study on entrepreneurial behaviour of farm women involved in tomato production in Kolar district

A study on entrepreneurial behaviour of farm women involved in tomato production in Kolar district

Pelatihan Digitalisasi Pemasaran Produk KWT Sejahtera Kelurahan Curup Jare

The aim of this service is to provide assistance with marketing promotions for the products of Sejatra Farmer Groups in the Curu Jare sub-district. Problems (1) Limited knowledge about technological advances also makes it difficult for the Curup Jare Women's Farmers Group (KWT) to expand the market, (2) lack of knowledge about the importance of business digitalization in the current modern era, (3) there is no online social media available. take advantage of (3) planning and implementation in the use of technology which is still limited to just updating personal status and modest business activities. A solution that can be used as an alternative is assistance with marketing methods through social media. This assistance utilizes social media such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to manage them. The result of this assistance is that the women's farming group can utilize technology in promoting the products they sell so that they can increase sales results. This means getting education regarding the theory of digital product marketing through effective and targeted social media. The output targets of this PkM activity are: 1) increased knowledge and skills of partners, 2) scientific publications in national journals with published status.