Participation In Agricultural Activities Research Articles

ASSESSMENT OF FEMALE YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN AGRICULTURAL LIVELIHOOD GENERATING ACTIVITIES IN GWAGWALADA AREA COUNCIL, ABUJA, NIGERIA

This study examines female youth participation in agricultural livelihood generating activities in Gwagwalada Area Council, Abuja. The objectives of the study were to: examine the extent of female youth participation in agricultural livelihood generating activities and the income generated, determine factors influencing female youth participation in agricultural livelihood generating activities, and identify major constraints faced by female youth participating in agricultural livelihood generating activities. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 133 female youths from 13 registered youth associations with 10 from each group in (4) peri-urban communities of the study area. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data while descriptive statistics and Logit regression model were used to analyze the data. The results showed that 30.1% and 14.3% of the respondents were engaged in crop and poultry production and generated an average income of ₦420,093.02 and ₦216,000.00 respectively while 3.0% and 4.5 only were engaged in crop produce processing and poultry meat and egg marketing and generated ₦29,250.74 and ₦14,166.67, respectively. The logit regression results indicated that factors influencing female youth participation in agricultural livelihood generating activities include age, education status, household size, income, occupation, and distance. Also, the major constraints hindering participation were inadequate access to land (43.6%), inadequate access to finance (41.6%) and high cost of production (16%). While the study indicates that a significant portion of female youths is engaged in crop and poultry production, their overall participation in agricultural activities is limited. The study provides critical insights into the potential of agriculture as a viable solution to youth unemployment in Nigeria. The study recommends implementing policies to improve land access for female youths, including land reform initiatives that prioritize youth ownership and leasing options. Additionally, it suggests exploring strategies to reduce production costs through input subsidies, partnerships with agricultural suppliers, and community-based resource-sharing initiatives.

Our cities, our farm lands: The socioeconomic determinants of urban households participation in urban agricultural production under climatic stressors

In Africa, urban agriculture is critical in addressing food security issues, economic and environmental sustainability in rapidly urbanizing regions such as urban Ghana. However, the factors that influence urban residents' participation in urban agricultural production under climate change adaptation has little space in the extant literature. Recognizing the increasing challenges posed by climate change, this study aims to understand the socio-economic factors influencing urban households' participation in agricultural activities and its implications for climate change adaptation and to draw urban households' socio-economic characteristics and their association with participating in urban agricultural production in the era of climate change effects in urban areas of Ghana. A quantitative approach is employed, involving a sample size of 362 urban households' across diverse neighbourhoods. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics—frequencies and percentages, inferential statistics—chi-square test and binary regression models, are employed to quantify the relationships between demographic factors and participation levels. The data suggests correlations between demographic variables, such as household size and income are significant at an alpha 0.05 in determining an urban household's participation in urban agricultural production under climatic stressors. Meanwhile, more urban households' in middle and high-class areas participate in urban agriculture than the lower class. Land acquisition is basically through purchasing which is a challenge in urban agriculture production. The study concluded that urban household size and monthly income are influential factors in urban households' participation in urban agricultural production even though land acquisition plays a factor. The study suggests that policymakers and stakeholders should harness the potential of urban agriculture for sustainable development in the era of climate change. This should be done through rolling out pro-poor urban development policies like pro-poor rights and legislation in urban areas; poor access to financial markets; and land tenure reforms that include flexible land holding and access by the poor.

Perceptions on Influence of Membership in Young Farmers Clubs on Career Interest and Participation in Agricultural Activities Among Secondary School Students in Nakuru North Sub-County, Nakuru County, Kenya

Young Farmers’ Club (YFC) activities globally have played a vital role in the mastery and attainment of knowledge in agriculture subject since it is best learned by use of practical activities. Increased youth participation in agricultural production is necessary and vital in facilitating food and nutritional security. In Kenya, Young Farmers Club of Kenya (YFCK) was established to help boys and girls to develop ideas for better farming, provide social and recreational activities, help give the necessary dignity to agriculture as an occupation and develop good and competent agricultural leadership. The objectives of YFCK included promoting interest in farming, sound training in advanced methods of crop and animal husbandly, leadership skills, self-reliance, self-confidence and responsibility. The purpose of this study was to determine the perception on influence of membership in young farmers clubs on career interest and participation in agricultural activities among day secondary schools students in Nakuru North sub-county. A descriptive survey design was adopted with a target population of 2,660 agriculture students and 32 agriculture teachers. Proportionate random sampling was used to select a sample of 120 respondents from the 19 day public schools. Data was collected from the sampled heads of agriculture subject using a questionnaire. Content validity of the instrument was ascertained by two panels of experts from Department of Agricultural Education and Extension and the supervisors. Reliability of the instruments was ensured through a pilot-test using 40 agriculture students and four agriculture teachers from Nakuru East Sub-county. The reliability of the instrument was tested using Cronbach Alpha coefficient. A reliability coefficient was 0.76 and 0.73 for YFCK members and Agriculture teachers respectively, at a significance level of α= 0.05. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive with the aid of SPSS 20.0 for Windows. Data was analysed using various tables and graphs. The researcher recommends that Agriculture teachers in collaboration with school administration should enhance YFCK activities. This is for proper and effective practical activities in teaching of Agriculture subject according to the syllabus. The findings of the study will be of importance to secondary school teachers, students and other scholars of higher institutions of learning by emphasizing in formation of young farmers clubs in day secondary schools in Nakuru North Sub- County, Nakuru County Kenya.

Factors Influencing Participation of Rural Women Farmers in Agricultural Activities in Ranau, Sabah, Malaysia: An Exploratory Factor Analysis

Globally, rural women farmers benefited from only 5% of agricultural extension information, and also only 10% of the agricultural extension facilities, this affects their engagement in agricultural development resulting in an increased rate of poverty and lack of the necessary knowledge of agricultural practice. This study aimed to determine the internal and external factors influencing rural women farmers’ participation in agricultural activities in rural areas of Malaysia. The study was conducted in Ranau, Sabah, Malaysia. A sample size of 248 rural women farmers was selected using simple random sampling. A five-point Likert scale questionnaire was used for data collection. Collected data were subjected to descriptive and factor analysis using Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS) version 26. The findings indicated that the factors affecting rural women’s participation in agricultural activities in Ranau, Sabah, encompassed access to financial and agricultural inputs, social culture, land rights, access to land, technology adoption, participation in farm management decisions, limited scope of agricultural policy and access to resource and support for women in agriculture. The present study has provided insights into the factors contributing to women’s participation in agriculture activities. The study suggests that a theoretical model should be proposed to test the relationship between these factors and women’s participation in agriculture, along with research to identify solutions for reducing identified barriers.

Factors affecting on Agricultural Labour Supply in Davangere district of Karnataka: An economic analysis

This study conducted in Davangere district of Karnataka has analysed the factors affecting on agricultural labour supply. The study is based on the primary data collected from 200 sample agricultural labours. The study revealed that socio-economic factors like age, education, caste and land holding are negatively influenced on agricultural labour supply. As far as age is concerned, young labours of the rural area are reluctant to work as agricultural labourer even though they have no alternative works available in their locality. Participation in agricultural activities is the lowest among the young labours compared to middle age group labours. Education plays a vital role in selection of employment. Labours participation in agricultural works is found to be relatively more among the illiterate labours compared to educated labours. Educated youths are not willing to work as agricultural labour and they want to work as salaried employee in urban areas or government employee. Agricultural labour supply is also affected by the caste. This study revealed that labour participation in agricultural activities is more in scheduled caste followed by scheduled tribe and other category. And, the most significant feature is that among the all castes labours are engaged in non-agricultural works. Another important factor is land holding of the family. Labours participation in agricultural activities is more in land less (having no land) families compared to land holding (<than 2acres) families. For all these reasons agricultural labour supply has been declining drastically and it has affected the farm productivity. On the other hand wages are increasingly for agricultural operations due to labour scarcity and it has increased the production cost for the farmers.

Women Peasants in India: Farmers or ‘Farmers’ Wives’?

Even though there is an increasing trend towards the ‘feminisation of agriculture’, especially among the small and resource-poor farm households due to the increasing long-term migration of men, women’s work on the family farm is invisibilised to a very large extent in most parts of the country. One of the reasons for the absence of gender issues in the literature on agriculture is that women are not even regarded as farmers due to the absence of property rights for them. This paper is based on fieldwork conducted in villages of Punjab, Rajasthan and Telangana. It brings to light lesser-known facts about women’s ownership of land and their changing status in rural India. Based on data collected through primary research from 100 households in each of the three states, this paper concentrates on the less researched aspects of women in agriculture in India. The study focuses on women’s role as farmers, their control over land, their participation in agricultural activities on family farms, and decision-making, including decisions relating to the family. The analysis of data shows that there are regional differences in these aspects, which are mainly due to the differences in cultural factors relating to women’s status in society.

Atitude e componentes de capacitação de jovens rurais para práticas agrícolas sustentáveis: estudo de caso da província de Punjab, Paquistão

ABSTRACT: Inclusion of rural youth is of great importance to facilitate nutritional security and make the food chain more sustainable. A positive attitude is necessary for active participation in agricultural activities. This case study was an attempt to check the attitude of rural youth regarding sustainable farming and its contributing factors. The study was carried out in the Punjab province of Pakistan and a transverse research design was used for this quantitative study. An interview schedule was used for getting the face-to-face response of rural youth. To make the unknown population of rural youth in Punjab, the Fisher formula was used and a sample of 413 was selected from purposely selected three districts of Punjab. After recording data, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the data. Descriptive Statistics was used to explain the response of rural youth for the decision on the base of data. Only 53 young farmers said that they have never been part of the formal education system and maximum number of farmers was close to 24 years of age or more than that. Rural youth of Punjab is lacking in non-formal education for acquiring or maintaining their skills & interests. Unemployment and having limited farm income are the biggest challenges that rural youth is facing. Rural youth show a strong inclination towards opting for sustainable farming alongside the availability of a supportive network. Regarding to learning capacities rural youth is lacking related to knowledge, communication means, novel approaches and in promoting sustainable farming initiatives. To achieve the goal of sustainability in changing environment, rural youth must have access to continuous training, communication sources, membership, or association with organizations with novel ideas covering all the changes happening in the farming business.

Role of farmers’ entrepreneurial orientation, women’s participation, and information and communication technology use in responsible farm production: a step towards sustainable food production

Responsible production is essential for sustainable development and for ensuring global food security. The concept of responsible production has been well studied in other sectors of the economy, but has yet to gain recognition in the agricultural sector. Therefore, this study examined responsible production in the context of agriculture and the factors affecting responsible farm production in the developing country of Pakistan. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect data from 196 farmers selected using the multistage random sampling method. An independent sample t-test, chi-square test, and ordered probit model were used to analyze the data. The responsible farm production index was estimated based on the climate change adaptation, resource efficiency, carbon footprints, and economic returns of each farm. The mean value of the responsible farm production index is 0.69. The farmers were divided into low-, moderate-, and highly responsible farm producers using cluster analysis. More than 36% of farms were highly responsible. The results revealed that women’s participation in farming activities, extension services, the use of information and communication technologies, and farmer entrepreneurial orientation dimensions significantly affected responsible farm production. Farm producers using the Internet for agriculture had a 1.4% points higher probability of belonging to the highly responsible farm producer category compared to those who did not use the Internet to obtain agricultural information. Farms with women’s participation in agricultural activities were 33.5% points more likely to belong to the highly responsible farm producer category than farms where only males perform agricultural operations. Therefore, women’s empowerment and farmers’ entrepreneurial skills are absolute necessities of responsible farming. This study piques the interests of stakeholders while also adding to the scant body of knowledge on responsible farm production around the world. Furthermore, this study is critical for developing a roadmap for long-term sustainable agricultural development.

Training Needs of Rural Youth: An Analysis in Lucknow District of Uttar Pradesh, India

India's population is predominantly rural, with approximately 68.9% residing in villages. Therefore, rural India truly represents the essence of our country. It is crucial to empower the rural youth by offering them opportunities for growth and well-being that align with their aspirations. However, the modern world demands skilled workers, and industries are increasingly reliant on technological advancements, particularly in information and communication technology (ICT). This rapid pace of technological change necessitates individuals to possess diverse cognitive skills. Consequently, it is imperative to address these challenges and equip India's rural youth with the appropriate education and skills they need to navigate the demanding global landscape. While the government has implemented various programs for rural development, their effectiveness relies heavily on proper execution and implementation. Considering the above facts the present study was conducted with the objective to study the training needs of Rural youth and Suggestions of rural youth to promote their participation in agricultural activities. The study was conducted in the year 2020-2021 for which Lucknow district of Uttar Pradesh of India was selected. Exploratory Research Design was used for the study There are four Tehsils in Lucknow namely Bakshi Ka Talab, Lucknow, Malihabad and Mohanlalganj. Out of these four Tehsils Mohanlalganj Block was selected for the study. For present study 5 villages were selected namely Atrauli, Daudnagar, Bhadesuwa, Hasanpur Kaneri and Barvaliya. From each villages 21 respondents were selected for the study and information were collected regarding their agricultural activities. A total number of 105 respondents were selected through random sampling from eight sample village panchayats. Data was collected through personal interview with a semi-structured schedule from farming and non-farming youth. Percentage, cumulative frequency and rank were used for calculation and drawing the inferences. The results revealed that majority (62.86 per cent) of rural youth need training in cashew and mango production, followed by identification of pest and diseases (58.09 per cent) and post harvest technology (56.19 per cent). Also majority (60.95 per cent) of the respondents suggested local market yard facility should be provided to promote participation of youth in agricultural activities

Rural women's participation in the agricultural activities (plant and animal) In Al-Zawiya sub-district, Baiji district, Salah al-D in Governorate

The Objectives of the study was to find out how rural women in Al-Zawiya sub-district / Baiji district participate in agricultural activities (plant and animal). The data was collected through a personal interview using a questionnaire form prepared for this purpose, which the first part included measuring social and economic variables that may be related to the level of rural women's participation in agricultural activities, and the data was collected through a personal interview using a questionnaire form prepared for this purpose, which included the first part of the form measuring social and economic variables that may be related to the level of rural women's participation in agricultural activities, and the data was collected through a personal interview using a questionnaire (age, marital status, educational level, number of family members working in agriculture, type of farm holding). The second part, it relates to scale for measuring the level of women's participation in agricultural activities (plant and animal), and it included two inspects: First: the field of vegetable agriculture. Second: The agricultural and animal activities field to calculate the values of this variable (28) works. were identified in this field, through which the level of rural women's participation in agricultural and animal activities is numerically determined. To reach the objectives of the research, several statistical methods were used, namely: (arithmetic mean, range, Pearson’s correlation law, Spearman’s correlation law. And standard deviation). The results of the study revealed that the majority of the respondents fall within the category of medium participation, and that the two categories of medium and high participation constitute (76%) of the total respondents, where the study showed that there is a relationship Significant correlation between the level of knowledge and each of (age, educational level, number of family members, farm ownership).
 

Accounting for Heterogeneity among Youth: A Missing Link in Enhancing Youth Participation in Agriculture—A South African Case Study

Youth participation in the agricultural sector remains key to addressing youth unemployment. Young people represent a heterogeneous social group with markedly diverse social and economic needs that require tailor-made support interventions to enhance their participation in agricultural activities. The main objective of this article was to develop distinct youth typologies informed by diverse endowment of livelihood assets, including the psychological assets and entrepreneurial characteristics that shape young people’s career and livelihood choices, including participation in agriculture. A two-stage multivariate analytical approach was applied using principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) to formulate youth typologies. Seven clusters were identified. The seven distinct clusters representing youth typologies were named “Training beneficiaries with access to extension”, “Job secure”, “Females endowed with negative psychological capital”, “Opportunist and determined livestock farmers”, “Social grant reliant”, “Resource poor traditional livestock farmers” and “Non-farming income with access to credit”. The results confirm that young people are indeed a heterogeneous group with diverse support needs. Unpacking the interrelated and multidimensional complexities among the youth is a vital take-off point to inform effective policy and tailor-made support interventions and effectively foster active youth participation in agriculture and related activities. We argue that support initiatives should not only address access to physical resources, but should also foster the development of soft skills such as entrepreneurial skills and boosting the psychological capital of young people while addressing gender inequalities.

Women's input and decision-making in agriculture are associated with diet quality in rural Tanzania.

Women's empowerment is one critical pathway through which agriculture can impact women's nutrition; however, empirical evidence is still limited. We evaluated the associations of women's participation, input, and decision-making in key agricultural and household activities with women's diet quality. We analyzed data from a cross-sectional study of 870 women engaged in homestead agriculture. We used food frequency questionnaires to assess women's diets and computed women's diet quality using the Prime Diet Quality Score (PDQS) (range 0-42), which captures healthy and unhealthy foods. We evaluated women's decision-making in 8 activities, food crop farming, cash crop farming, livestock raising, non-farm economic activities, wage/salary employment, fishing, major household expenditures, and minor household expenditures. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) linear models were used to evaluate associations between (a) women's participation, (b) decision-making, (c) adequate input, (d) adequate extent of independence in decision-making in agriculture, and (e) adequate input in use of agricultural income with their PDQS. Adequate input was defined as input into some, most or all decisions compared to input into few decisions or none. Adequate extent of independence was defined as input to a medium or high extent compared to input to a small extent or none. Median PDQS was 19 (IQR: 16-21). Women's adequate input in decision-making on wage and salary employment (estimate: 4.19, 95% CI: 2.80, 5.57) and minor expenditures were associated with higher PDQS vs. inadequate input. Women with independence in decision-making on livestock production (estimate: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.05, 1.90) and minor household expenditures, and women with adequate decision-making in the use of income from wages/salaries (estimate: 3.16, 95% CI: 2.44, 3.87) had higher PDQS. Participation in agricultural activities was positively associated with PDQS. Women's participation and input in decision-making in wage and salary employment, livestock production, and minor household expenditures were strongly associated with the consumption of better-quality diets. Women participating in multiple farm activities were also likely to have better diet quality. This study adds to the growing evidence on the pathways through which women's empowerment may influence women's nutrition in rural Tanzania.

Drivers and barriers of women participation in agricultural activities in Nigeria

The study examined the drivers of women participation in agricultural activities in Nigeria. A total of 636 women farmers were used for the study and data were collected through interview and questionnaire process. Descriptive statistics, Participation index and Ordered Logit regression were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that the mean age, household size, farming experience and farm size were 44 years, 8 members, 18 years and 3.1 ha respectively. The result also revealed that women farmers in Nigeria engaged themselves in agricultural activities such as crop farming, livestock farming, agricultural trading, poultry farming, horticultural farming and aquaculture farming. Result of the participation index revealed that women farmers were actively involved in agriculture with 49.06 % of the women with high level of participation. The regression analysis revealed that the positive drivers of women participation in agricultural activities were household size, marital status, level of education, farming experience, disposable income, extension service and membership of association. In the contrary, distance to farm is a negative driver of women participation in agricultural activities in the study area. In addition, inadequate financial opportunities and inadequate access to extension services were among the serious constraints that hindered women participation in agricultural activities.

Sociological Analysis of Women Participation in Agricultural Activities in District Rajanpur Punjab, Pakistan

In developed countries where agriculture is the main source of income, women play an important role in agriculture. However, due to a variety of factors in these countries, especially the patriarchal-based system of rural communities in the majority of the region, particularly in Pakistan, their contribution has remained secret. To learn more about these contributions, the current research was carried out in the Punjab district of Rajanpur in Pakistan to determine the extent of women's involvement in agriculture and the health issues that these women faced. A total of 230 female respondents were chosen from the village of Rakh Fazil Pur in the district of Rajan Pur using a purposive sampling technique. A depth interview technique was used to collect data. Females were involved in nearly all activities (p<0.05), from domestic to fieldwork, and they often had health issues. Women agricultural agents should be appointed to address rural women and to bridge the information gap between rural women and research. The role of rural women should be promoted through print and electronic media. Rural women are also involved in a number of activities in livestock raising fodder cutting, chopping, feeding livestock bathing, washing livestock milking cow and goats.

People's participation in using treated wastewater as an approach for sustainability of ecosystem services, green spaces, and farmlands in peri-urban areas: the case study of Kalak-e Bala, Karaj, Iran

Abstract Water scarcity is the most significant challenge facing semi-arid and arid areas because fresh water is often transferred from other areas to these regions, and then discharged as wastewater. Irrigating agricultural lands and green spaces with treated wastewater (TWW) can be thus regarded as a way to reduce pressure on fresh water resources and lead to the utilization of ecosystem services, such as regulating and cultural ones. The most important factor affecting the expansion and sustainability of these areas is people's participation. Therefore, this study reflected on the weight of locals' willingness and attitudes as one of the most effective factors in the development of irrigation with TWW in peri-urban areas and ecological buffer zones. The main indicators were accordingly extracted from previous research and examined through a survey questionnaire, and then analyzed by structural equation modeling (SEM) in the AMOS and LISREL software packages. The indicators were related to individuals' health in product consumption (health), people's activities in farmlands and green spaces (assurance), and users' distance from farmlands (accessibility). The study results revealed that accessibility was the most important factor, and then health and assurance were effective in people's participation in agricultural activities in farmlands irrigated with TWW in peri-urban areas and increasing green-space buffer zones.

Extent of Women Participation in Agricultural Activities: A Case Study of Rain-Fed Area Pothohar, Pakistan

Extent of Women Participation in Agricultural Activities: A Case Study of Rain-Fed Area Pothohar, Pakistan

To estimate the rural youth with their extent of participation in agricultural activities in Bhanupratappur (Chhattisgarh)

India is an agriculturally dominated country or it will not be wrong to say that India lives in villages. Primary occupation of villagers is still agriculture and its allied ventures. India is a young country and rural youth constitutes about 41% of total population of India. In the present scenario the interest of rural people especially rural youth is declining towards agriculture. According to population census 2011, India had total youth population of 325.2 million, which is 35% of the total population. India is an agriculturally dominated country or it will not be wrong to say that India lives in villages. Primary occupation of villagers is still agriculture and its allied ventures. India is a young country and rural youth constitutes about 41% of total population of India. Out of this, about 70% were rural youth and remaining 30% were urban youth. As majority of the youth comes from rural areas, they are considered as the nation builders of tomorrow. This important section of the rural population can respond to the needs of country only if they are offered fruitful opportunities for growing up as useful citizens. The present study was carried out in purposively selected Bhanupratappur block of kanker district (C.G.). A stratified random sampling procedure was followed in order to obtain the appropriate sample of rural youth. The total sample size was 70. The dependent variable was participation of rural youth in agricultural activities.

DETERMINANTS OF THE PERFORMANCE OF MICROFINANCE BANKS IN CANE ENHANCING AND ITS IMPACT ON SUGAR INDUSTRY OF SINDH

Sugar cane is the second biggest cash crop of Pakistan, which contributes 3.4% to national income and 0.7 percent in gross domestic product as well sugar cane provides ecologically best stimulus for economic development. We cannot refute the importance of sugar cane cultivator’s participation in this sector. This research study is organized to identify Determinants of the Performance Microfinance Banks in Cane Enhancing and its Impact on Sugar Industry of Sindh. Data was collected from 250 respondents were interviewed Sugar Cane Growers (SCG) and Agriculture Expert (AE) as well-structured through purposive sampling technique within asymmetric survey methodology conducted. SCG and AE remains 63% respondents were illiterate and their main occupation crop cultivation of sugar cane crop 76.7% respondents cultivating less than 12.5 acres and 20% respondents cultivating less than 25.0 acres in Sindh which is the largest population around 70% families stays in below the poverty line. This area demand attention. Sugar Cane is an integral part of agriculture and this sector is fulfilling the provincial demand of the country. State should support and privilege the efforts of the SCG and AE for grow up and help them to crop cultivation for extent of the on-farm practices on high input cost and equal income equilibrium as far as cultivation high input costing so they can get guidance of Prudential Regulations and Agriculture Financing for the take care of them, on farm activities and pricing should have to subsidized. Micro finance institutions should play an integral part for sustainable economic agriculture development, going forward research emphasis to empower sugar cane population in which the segment should grow. The government and Microfinance banks should focus on promotion and paid participation in agricultural activities, monetary benefits as well as power of decision making with the recognition of their work. Keywords: Production Cost, Agricultural Labor Markets, Support Price, Agriculture, Irrigation, Research and Development.

Gendered small-scale crops and power dynamics: A case of uninga (sesame) production amongst the Ndau of south-eastern Zimbabwe

Women in Ndau communities, like in many African communities, are the fulcrum of household economies that ensure improved livelihoods of their communities. Thus, they are an indispensable factor in the sustainable development equation of their communities. It is sadly true that women do not own land in most African societies. Consequently, most studies analyse the realities of gender inequality in the distribution of resources that include land. However, very few studies recognise, appreciate and amplify the role of women in reproducing and transforming the society through their participation in agricultural activities even on pieces of land that they do not call their own. In this article we examined the power and influence that women derive from their agricultural activities, especially their association with the cultivation of crops that have often been labelled as feminine. We sought to recognise the agency of women not only in transforming livelihoods, but also gender inequalities in terms of control and influence on the use, valorisation and sale of agricultural produce. We examined the phenomenon of the crops associated with female gender from a new perspective that compels a rereading of the narratives that often dwarf women’s agricultural activities and crops associated with them. This article focussed on the production of uninga [sesame] amongst the Ndau of Musikavanthu and Chipinge South Constituencies covering areas that include Rimbi, Manzvire, Mwanyisa, Rimai, Rukangare and Garahwa in south-eastern Zimbabwe. The article’s overall theoretical framework is the African women theology that emphasises on African women as agents, not subordinated and passive subjects of history. The study is qualitative, and it used interviews, focus group discussions and observations as instruments for gathering data.Contribution: The study amplified the transformative role of women in society through their participation in agricultural activities. The findings acknowledged the complementarity of women and men in uninga production in a religio-cultural setting that has often shown biases towards patriarchy. The results are in sync with the reconstructive and liberative motif of the African women theology, which envisage a transformed African society that celebrates gender inclusivity through facilitation of dialogue between the two genders.

INVOLVEMENT OF RURAL WOMEN IN MANAGING ON-FARM SUSTAINABLE DAIRY PRACTICES IN DISTRICT OKARA

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