Decision making pattern of women members of dairy co-operatives vis-a-vis non-members

Women, in India, are deprived of equal education, equal employment, equal pay and equal status with men. Thus, to make women equal partners with men there is a need to empower them. The present study was, therefore, designed with the objective to assess the decision-making pattern of women members of dairy Co-operatives and non-members. The study was conducted, in four villages selected purposively from Rudrapur block of Udham Singh Nagar district in Uttranchal State. Data were collected, through a structured interview-schedule, from 120 respondents (60 Members and 60 Non-Members) on their decision making pattern in livestock, household and farm related activities.

The analysis of data revealed that the women members as well as non-members were predominantly involved in decision making on feeding and milk-products making; whereas, decisions on breeding and marketing of livestock products were taken by their spouses alone. However, the women were consulted on decisions regarding livestock, health care, livestock management, home management. child and money related matters, marketing of produce, and employment of hired labour. Decisions regarding number, type and area under each crop, seed, fertilizer, irrigation, plant protection, buying of farm inputs, and taking and giving loan were taken by spouse alone. Majority of both MC and NMC respondents had high level of involvement in decision-making in livestock and household activities, whereas they had medium level of involvement in making decisions in case of farm activities.