Rearing one or two cows for milk is an important source of livelihood for landless women in Pondicherry in south Indin.1 Possession of dairy animals means more than increased income for them: it means financial security, status, self-confidence and an opportunity to liave some control over their lives. Preferring this alternative to exhnusting agricultural labour, the women are self-employed, with flexible work ing hours and maintain better health as a result. Recognition of the importance of this resource for rural women should be the first step towards improving service delivery to poor landless women rearing dairy cattle.
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