Extent of Participation of Female Workers in Vegetable Production System: A Special Reference to Jorhat District of Assam

Agriculture is an engine of growth and poverty reduction in developing countries where it is the main occupation of poor. Many women, in developing countries, are major producers of food. Nearly 63 per cent of all economically active men are engaged in agriculture as compared to 78 per cent of women. It is observed that women play a significant role in agricultural development and allied activities including main crop production, live-stock production, horticulture, post-harvesting operations etc. About 70 per cent of farm work is performed by women. The existing research is highlighting the involvement of women in various activities of vegetable cultivation in Assam. To conduct the study four villages from the North West Development Block of Jorhat district was selected purposively and 300 female workers were selected by following proportionate random sampling method. The findings of the study depicts that in transplanting, weeding and spreading of manure, Cent per cent of the respondents were fully involved where as 72 per cent in removing of stalks and stubbles, 82.67 per cent in sowing and 86.67 per cent respondents were fully involved in harvesting. Age and years of involvement of the respondents were found to be highly significant with their extent of participation while BMI was found to have insignificant with the extent of participation of female workers in vegetable cultivation.