Economic Empowerment of Rural Women of Assam through Agro-based Enterprises
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Date
2016
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Publisher
AAU
Abstract
The present investigation on economic empowerment of rural women of Assam through agro-based enterprises was carried out in three agro climatic zones. A multi stage purposive cum simple random sampling design was followed for sample selection. Two districts from each zone, namely Jorhat and Dibrugarh of Upper Brahmaputra Valley Zone, Udalguri and Darrang from North Bank Plain Zone and Kamrup (M) and Kamrup (R) of Lower Brahmaputra Valley Zone were selected randomly. All total 240 rural women from 24 villages of selected zones and who were mostly engaged in both vegetable cultivation and livestock rearing were included as respondents for the present study. Data collection was done by using structured interview schedule. The study revealed that majority of the rural women (52.92%) were of middle aged group, married (70.83%) and belonged to middle socio economic status (54.17%) group. Most of the rural women were involved independently in post harvest activities like cleaning and grading of harvested crop (88.33%), collection of seed from harvested crop (83.33%), transplanting, planting and sowing of seeds (74.76%) and application of manure (64.16%). Further they participated independently in different livestock activities such as providing daily feed (82.08%), cleaning of shed (79.16%), care of sick animal (74.58%) and taking care in vaccination of livestock (70.83%). Majority of the rural women had low level of knowledge in vegetable cultivation (44.32%) whereas 40.45% and 15.23% had medium and high level of knowledge respectively. In rearing of livestock majority of the rural women (42.77%) had medium level of knowledge followed by 39.49% and 17.74% had low and high level of knowledge. The major inhibiting factors which hampered in carrying out the agrobased enterprises were lack of technical person for immediate help and solution(2.56), weak marketing linkage(2.55) and sudden outbreak of diseases(2.53). Study also revealed that the agricultural projects planned and working on PPP mode for benefit of rural women increased their economic standard gradually. The five strategic options were drawn by introducing SWOC matrix analysis, namely i) provide specific training on the demand of the entrepreneurs on selected enterprises. ii) continuous assistance from extension personnel about production process and production management iii) develop linkages with input suppliers and markets iv) access to current and reliable market information and v) ensuring easy availability of low cost high yielding breed/variety.