Project title: Assessing Implications of IPM Technology on Farm Woman

Project leader: Dr. Usha Ahuja

Project team: NRCW, NAARM.

Background:

Rural women have major role to play in production of food, in terms of hours of work spent in agricultural activity. With steady feminization of agriculture this sector employs 4/5 of the economically active women in the country.  A pilot survey was undertaken to see the role of women in agriculture and assess the impact of IPM on their status & livelihood.

Objectives:

1.    To identify gender differential activities in different crops

2.    To examine the role of women in vegetable cultivation

3.    To workout the  feasibility of IPM in vegetable cultivation in different seasons

4.    To assess the impact of IPM on farm women

5.    To know the attitude/perception of farm women towards IPM.

Study area:

Cluster of three villages namely Palrikhurd, Palra & Jajal in Sonipat  district of Haryana

Methodology:

1. Sample size: 150 farm families of different size groups 10 experimental families of IPM in vegetables (cauliflower).

2. Tabular Analysis

3. Functional Analysis to identify the  factors affecting  adoption of IPM and decisions making process

Key findings:

1. Weeding and harvesting are the major female labour absorbing activities accounting for  more than 80% of their  time spent in vegetable cultivation.

2. In vegetable cultivation magnitude of female labour use is higher as compared to male labour.

3. Impact of IPM on farm women can be seen in terms of increased income & employment, food &nutrition  and other social &  environmental benefits.

Funding agency: NAIP