CONSTRAINTS FACED BY FARM WOMEN IN AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS AND ALSO IN DECISION MAKING AND SEEK THEIR SUGGESTIONS FOR BETTER PARTICIPATION

Abstract

India is a country of great tradition, where social customs and norms exert a firm grip over the behavioral patterns of individuals. Women constitute one of the most important and dynamic but deprived and long neglected sections of the Indian society. For the present study Prayagraj district is selected by purposive sampling because the participation of women in agriculture is comparatively more than the other districts of Uttar Pradesh. There are 20 blocks in the selected district out of that, Kaudihaar block is selected by purposive sampling because maximum numbers of women are engaged in agriculture. One hundred twenty farmers were selected from 8 villages. Data were collected by using pre-tested schedule and analyzed using appropriate statistical tools. Lacks of family support, lack of knowledge, dominance of male members in the family are the constraints faced by farm women. Farm women faced major constraints in decision making process about various agriculture related activities were: social/cultural norms and lack of self confidence in decision. Empowerment of women in developing countries like India will lead the nation to a breaking issue of humanist thinking for globalization. The major suggestions offered by farm women to overcome the constraints were more technical guidance regarding scientific farming should be given to farm women and training should be imparted at village level.