Women Empowerment through Technological Interventions in Ericulture: A Case Study in Upper Assam

An action research was undertaken with Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools with a focus on analyzing women empowerment, drudgery reduction and sustainable resource utilization through technological inputs. Twenty women Self Help Groups (SHGs) were formed covering 405 women beneficiaries in three districts of upper Assam. The selected improved technologies in pre-and post cocoon sectors adopted through 10 numbers of technology demonstrations, 5 batches of training and skill development programme, awareness programme, constant field visits and supply of critical inputs like dfls (4400), disinfectants, seeds of host plant, low cost bamboo platform rearing equipments (90 Nos.), plastic mountages (90 Nos.), pedal cum motorized spinning machine (20 Nos.) and grainage tools. The average empty cocoon productivity was increased from 7.2 to 12.85 kg per 100 dfls (78.47% improvement over benchmark) with average shell weight from 0.29 to 0.49g. The yarn recovery improved from 67 to 82% on adoption of degumming technology and pedal cum motorized eri spinning machine. Drudgery of women reduced to a greater extent and production of yarn enhanced from 90 g (traditional takli) to 160-200g per 8 hours with spinning machine whereas the cropping intensity increased from 150 to 350%. Price realization of cocoon shell increased from Rs. 120–150 to Rs. 550 per kg. The average income of SHGs increased from Rs. 800–1000 to Rs. 8000-30000 per month during initial one year of intervention.