Role of Women in the Development of Agriculture

Women are contributing in almost all fields of life.  Their efforts at certain level are not appreciated as per the effort they are putting in each work.  They are back bone of national economy and plays vital role in agricultural growth of any country. Women in Global Workforce can be broadly divided into following sectors, agriculture has approx. 25% contribution in overall working force.

41% of the world’s agricultural labor force is comprised by women in pakistan,   And more ever 67% women are involved in this sector. The source of income is mostly comprise through Agriculture in  major part of Pakistan. An active role in  agriculture  is played by women in Agriculture . they have different responsibilities according to their gender in the crop varieties and also in entire operations interrelated to crop production such as sowing, irrigation, plant protection, weeding, storage, transplanting, and harvesting. household management, cattle management, water, fuel and fodder collection, and goat and poultry rearing.  The  every section of agricultural development is dependent on Women in rural areas.

The women play a vital role in agriculture system of Pakistan. The women are real motivators behind the men for carrying out their field operations. They are performing  their duty and task with duality both at home and in the field. In home they have to look after their children ,husband and other households on punctuality.

                            Out of total women labour force,72% of women are linked with agriculture sector .in cottage industries ,livestock rearing and agriculture production ,they get indulged themselves through out the day. the routine activities are water fetching, fuel wood collection and child care .In the majority of field preparation ,the hoeing is basically done by women .after the harvesting activity the crop handpicking ,washing, storing in case of veggies ,fruits and cotton is performed by short female labour .men are in involved in crop production and women support by land preparation ,sowing ,fooder cutting threshing ,processing and selling .While at time of cotton harvesting, its very tough for women to take ensured care of their children due to some allergic problems from cotton field .men have to deal with market outputs ,and women with inside operations. but tend is changing in Punjab, the women are becoming independent due to their income from entrepreneurships .here are some small businesses carried by rural women.

Rights of Women in land holdings:

                           According to FAO,  women farmers are equally accessible  to land ownership, credit, farming equipment and new technologies.  by 30 per cent per household and countries yield can be increased .up to 90 per cent of their earnings women  can reinvest in business, nutrition, food, health care, school, and income-generating activities that help in breaking the cycle of poverty.

                            The agriculture is an engine of growth and poverty reduction in countries and Women make essential contributions to the agricultural and rural economies. in all countries.

Constraints in the way of Rural Women:

Lack of Access to education and health services:

                  The limited role of of women curtailed to household and farm ,her access to getting education and health care is null .State inheritance is not practiced and they usually married in the families to save the the land .It is the peak of injustice in the country.

Nutrition practices preventing improvement in Women’s health:

                        Women’s low dietary intake and poor nutritional status ,this negligence ensure the better food intake of her family member’s. The poor income and bad socio economic problems are responsible for incomplete nutritional needs.

Constraints in access to Agriculture Extension:

                    The livestock extension services and Agriculture   have not   a good access for rural women. The men are fully independent and only allowed to contact with the concern  person

Recommendations:

                                      The agriculture Sector of Pakistan plays an important role in economy of the country and labour force .but women do not get their equal rights in the ownership and property .this act of discrimination is strickly discourages by the laws of rights in the state of islam and consituitions. They perform their tasks with sincere  efforts and loyality.The EFS should form inspiring policies for women role and facilities.here are some policies which can support the role of women in Agriculture.

·         Build on an enabling environment for women.

·         Strengthen the networking and women advocacy for women’s entrepreneurship.

·         The linkages should be formed between rural and urban women entrepreneurship employees.

·         The social security schemes  for women and cash benefits for maternity leave must be focused and ensured. The child care arrangements so the women should not be interrupted in her work.

In islam women and men both are equally allowed to enjoy the luxuries of life.so We must follow the code of islam and perform our responsibilities.