Feminine farm operational methods, involvement, hardships and sensitivity in farming systems analysis

Abstract

The present study has been conducted to identify the sensitivity in the pre-dominant farming systems of Western plain zone of Uttar Pradesh (WPZ) considering the importance of gender specific technologies much needed for better efficiency and productivity of farming systems. Four pre-dominant farming systems have been identified in WPZ of Uttar Pradesh with the highest area share (57.1%) and highest farmer distribution (62.9%) in FS1: Crop + Dairy (1C+1-2B). The highest net return was found in FS2: Crop + Horticulture (Fruits) + Dairy (2C+ 1-2 B), whereas the lowest net return was noticed in FS3: Crop + Horticulture (Vegetables) + Dairy (1C + 1B). Load carrying through head load was found extensively performed by the women of FS3 followed by FS4: Horticulture + Crop + Dairy (1C+1B) and FS2 respectively. Chopper (hand tool) for chaff cutting, winnowing through natural wind, power operated winnowing without safety gadgets was performed in FS4 (33%), FS3 (22.8%) and FS4 (17%) respectively by family female workers. Threshing through hand beating was maximally performed by FS2 (81%) as hired female labour. Work involvement in farming system studies shows that female workers (family and hired) of FS3 contributed maximum (44.7%) followed by FS1 (41.5%). Also, the women participation index on drudgery prone activities was found highest amongst female workers (family and hired) of FS3 (87.8%) followed by FS1 (83.21%). The results indicate that FS3 may be tagged as sensitive farming system with respect to maximum number of female headed households contributing maximum work and hardships followed by FS1.

Assessing Drudgery Perceived by Agricultural Labourers in Chikkaballapur District of Karnataka

“…The gain in knowledge and skill about drudgery reduction tools increase work efficiency and save their time (Thakar et al, 2021). Using traditional tools for long hours with inappropriate working posture in field leads to drudgery (Varma et al, 2020;Akki et al, 2021). The farm workers frequently get involved in manual handling tasks, leads to face more drudgery because of manual methods of farm activities (Nag et al, 2004).…”