Extent of Knowledge of Women about Different Agri-Based Enterprises

 

Mrs. Sanghamitra Mohapatra1, Dr. Dipak Bose2 and Dr. Sangram Paramaguru3

1Assistant Professor, Dept. of Home Science, Extension and Communication Management,

SHIATS, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh 

2Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication,

SHIATS, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh

 3SMS, Agril. Extension, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Puri, O.U.A.T, Odisha

*Corresponding Author E-mail:

 

Abstract:

Woman is the magnificent creation of god, a multifaceted personality with the power of benevolence, adjustability, integrity and tolerance. Empowerment is the process of obtaining basic opportunities for marginalized people, either directly by those people, or through the help of non-marginalized others who share their own access to these opportunities. Agriculture can be an important engine of growth and poverty reduction. Women in India are major producers of food in terms of value, volume and number of hours worked. Nearly 63 percent of all economically active men are engaged in agriculture as compared to 78 per cent of women. Almost 50 percent of rural female workers are classified as agricultural labourers and 37 per cent as cultivators. Their role in agricultural production, women are gainfully employed in agribased allied activities like dairying, animal husbandry, poultry, goatery, rabbit rearing, beekeeping, floriculture, horticulture, fruit preservation, post-harvest technology, value added food products, etc. Jasra and Karchana are the two development blocks of the district of Allahabad were selected. Major findings revealed that majority of respondents had good knowledge about related to dairy excepts some technical information such as standard size of cow shed, control measure of  render pest disease and percentage of protein in Berseam. Majority of respondents had fully to partial knowledge regarding to vegetable production whereas regarding knowledge about food processing and preservation majority of respondents had partial knowledge.

 

KEY WORDS: Empowerment, Participation, knowledge

 

 


Introduction:

Women are companion of man, gifted with equal mental faculty, a protector and provider, the embodiment of love and affection. The role given to women in a society is a measuring rod and true index of its civilization and cultural attainment. Empowerment is the process of obtaining basic opportunities for marginalized people, either directly by those people, or through the help of non-marginalized others who share their own access to these opportunities.

 

 

Received on 16.03.2015       Modified on 20.04.2015

Accepted on 28.04.2015      ©A&V Publications All right reserved

Research J. Science and Tech. 7(2): April-June, 2015; Page 104-106

DOI: 10.5958/2349-2988.2015.00010.8

In the present scenario of globalization, liberalization and privatization of agricultural sector, the sustainable development and empowerment of farm women is considered as a key factor for development of any country. These activities include various forms of food processing and in particular, the preservation of fruits and vegetables, making of pickles, badi and papad (both made from pulses), and some variations of kitchen gardening for horticultural products. Dairy is another activity that women have engaged in since times immemorial. She can effectively undertake both the production and processing oriented enterprises. Entrepreneurship development among rural women helps to enhance their personal capabilities and increase decision-making status in the family and society as a whole (Deshpande and Sethi, 2009). The publicly-funded Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and sometimes other organizations including Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs) provide training either for initiation or the refreshment of entrepreneurship, wherever found necessary.

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Allahabad district of Uttar Pradesh had been selected purposively for the study. Jasra and Karchana are the two development blocks of the district of Allahabad were selected purposively. Area of the sample blocks were 420.35 and 134.85 sq.kms respectively.100 respondents were selected from each block randomly making a total sample size of 200 respondents. Descriptive research design was adopted for the study. The level of knowledge of rural women involved in agri-based enterprises was measured with the help of pre tested interview schedule. The data was collected from the selected respondents with the help of a pre-tested schedule by the researcher herself. Statistical tools used for analysis of data were Chi-square, Paired ‘t’ test, and Correlation coefficient.

 


 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

Distribution of respondents according to technical knowledge related to Dairy

Table-1.Distribution of respondents according to technical knowledge related to Dairy(N=200)

Sl No.

Particulars

Fully correct

Partially correct

Incorrect

1.         

What is the proportion of balance ration for a milch cow?

66 (33.0)

48 (24.0)

80 (40.0)

2.         

What is the percentage of protein in Berseam?

44 (22.0)

34 (17.0)

122 (61.0)

3.         

What are two green fodders for summer season?

166 (83.0)

26 (13.0)

8 (4.0)

4.         

What is the advantage of artificial insemination?

84 (42.0)

102 (51.0)

14 (7.0)

5.         

What are two good breeds of cow?

96 (48.0)

60 (30.0)

44 (22.0)

6.         

Where is the artificial insemination center situated in your area?

86 (43.0)

52 (26.0)

62 (31.0)

7.         

What are two major diseases of cow?

110 (55.0)

60 (30.0)

30 (15.0)

8.         

What are the symptoms of foot mouth disease?

122 (61.0)

72 (36.0)

6(3.0)

9.         

What is the control measure of render pest disease?

28(14.0)

18(36.0)

154(77.0)

10.      

What is the standard size of cow shed for 10 cows?

37(18.5)

27(13.5)

136(68.0)

11.      

What is the advantage of cleaning cowshed daily?

60(30.0)

50(25.0)

90(45.0)

12.      

What are the measures to be taken for protecting the animal in summer season?

130(65.0)

50(25 .0)

20(10.0)

13.      

What are the advantages of clean drinking water for animals?

110(55.0)

70(35.0)

20(10.0)

 

The figures in the table show that the majority of the respondents (63.5%) feed their animals whereas 94 per cent of them were not involved in breeding of cattle. Health of the animals were taken care by 42.5 per cent respondents and 61.0 per cent were engaged in management of dairy animals.

 

Distribution of respondents according to technical knowledge related to vegetable production

Table-2.Distribution of respondents according to technical knowledge related to vegetable production (N=200)

Sl No.

Particulars

Fully correct

Partially correct

Incorrect

1.         

What is size of seed bed for raising a vegetable nursery?

80(40.0)

60(30.0)

60(30.0)

2.         

What are the protection measures to be taken for regular nursery?

70(35.0)

90(45.0)

40(20.0)

3.         

What should be the frequency of watering in vegetable production?

150(75.0)

40(20.0)

10(0.5)

4.         

Which type of soil is suitable for vegetable nursery?

110(55.0)

60(30.0)

30(15.0)

5.         

What should be the plant to plant distance for tomato?

60(30.0)

70(35.0)

70(35.0)

6.         

How many days required for transplanting   tomato?

100(50.0)

60(30.0)

40(20.0)

7.         

What is the time of sowing potato?

110(55.0)

60(30.0)

30(15.0)

 

 

The figures in this table shows that 40 per cent respondents had knowledge in size of seed bed for raising a vegetable nursery whereas 45 per cent respondents had known about the protection measures to be taken for regular nursery and 75 per cent told about the frequency of watering in vegetable production whereas 55 per cent respondents had knowledge in type of soil suitable for vegetable nursery. Fifty per cent people had knowledge in the plant to plant distance for tomato and 50 per cent people known about the days requiring for transplanting of tomato and 55 per cent respondent told about the time of sowing potato.

 

Distribution of respondents according to technical knowledge related to food processing and preservation

Table-3.Distribution of respondents according to food processing and preservation(N=200)

Sl No.

Particulars

Fully correct

Partially correct

Incorrect

1.         

What types of fruits to be selected for jam/jelly/squash/ketchup?

146(73.0)

44(22.0)

10(5.0)

2.         

What are the chemicals used for squash?

40(20.0)

8(4.0)

152(76.0)

3.         

What are the chemicals used for puree?

30(15.)

12(6.0)

158(79.0)

4.         

Is sugar used as a preservative?

106(53.0)

42(21.0)

52(26.0)

5.         

Bottling done in the last stage of preservation. Is proper packaging helps for a longer self-life?

92(46.0)

52(26.0)

56(28.0)

6.         

What is sterilization of bottles?

78(39.0)

42(21.0)

80(40.0)

7.         

What are the marketing facilities available in your area?

84(42.0)

46(23.0)

70(35.0)

 

 


 

The figure in the table shows that 73 per cent respondents had knowledge about types of fruits to be selected for jam/jelly/squash/ketchup whereas 76 per cent people knew about the chemicals used for squash and 79 per cent respondents knew about the chemicals used for puree whereas 53 per cent had knowledge that sugar used as a preservative 46 per cent respondent had known about the fact that proper packaging helps for a longer self-life. Moreover 40 per cent were having knowledge about sterilization of bottles is good for food preservation whereas 42 per cent knew about the marketing facilities available in their area.

 

CONCLUSION:

It may be concluded from the results of the above study that majority of the respondents had medium to high knowledge related to vegetable production and vegetable production whereas majority of the respondents had low to medium knowledge about food processing and preservation.

 

REFERENCES:

C.J. Romila. (2009) Role of women in social transformation, www.cupid.com

Deshpande, S. and Sethi, S. (2009) “Women Entrepreneurship In India-Problems, Solutions & Future Prospects of Development” Shodh, Samikshaaur Mulyankan (International Research Journal)—ISSN-0974-2832Vol. II, Issue-9-10.pp.2-4

Ghosh, S. and Ram Chand. (2001) Constraints in adoption of recommended technologies for improved dairy farming. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 37 (182): 24-29.

International Encyclopedia (1999), World Economic Survey on the “Role of Women in Development”, United Nations, 1999.pp.134

Khan, M., Sajjad, M., Hameed, B., Khan, M. N. and Jan A. U. (2012).Participation of Women in Agriculture Activities in District Peshawar. Sarhad Journal of Agriculture.Vol.28, No.1, pp.123-126.

Report (2001) National Seminar on Empowerment of Women in Agriculture, from March 4-6, 2001,The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Rajendra Agricultural University, Patna.pp.2-3.

 

 

 

Received on 26.07.2015       Modified on 10.08.2015

Accepted on 30.10.2015      ©A&V Publications All right reserved

Research J. Science and Tech. 7(4):Oct. – Dec. 2015; Page 230-233

DOI: 10.5958/2349-2988.2015.00033.9