Women Empowerment and Gender Sensitization - Developing a Model for Bridging Gender Gap

The ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar, Odisha implemented a Project under the ICAR-National Agricultural Science Fund Project in a cluster of two Villages, viz., Sankilo and Tentalpur under Nischintakoili Block of Cuttack District, Odisha by adopting 40 Farm Women.

The main objective of the Project is to promote Women Empowerment and Gender Sensitization by bridging the gender gap. The gender gap indicators were identified and assessed using the SHEET (Social-Health-Environmental-Economic-Technological) Module.

A “Gender Sensitive Agri-Horti Cropping System Model” was developed involving three-tier approach, viz., Livelihood Enhancement Model for the Small and Marginal Women Farmers, Nutritional Security Model for Medium-Income Group Women Farmers and Entrepreneurship Promotion Model for Women Farmers through Institute-Industry-Stakeholders’ Linkages.

A total income of Rs. 6, 59,300/- was generated in the Group approach in vegetable farming under the Livelihood Enhancement Model. Out of it, a value of Rs. 98,895/- of vegetables was used for household consumption and Rs. 5, 60,405/- of vegetables were sold in the open market. The increase in yield under the demonstrations ranged from 22% to 30% over existing farmers' practice. The highest benefit cost ratio of vegetables was observed in Brinjal (3.41) followed by Chili (3.20).

In the case of rice production, the economic analysis of the trial indicates higher mean gross and net returns of the demonstration to the tune of Rs. 1,16,663 and Rs. 64,213, respectively. The maximum net returns of Rs. 75,564 were obtained in CR Dhan 312 cultivation with highest incremental benefit cost ratio (3.9) and effective gain (Rs. 37,008/ha). On an average, 56.2% yield advantage was recorded under the demonstrations over existing farmers' practice. The average yield of 2.95 t/ha. of black gram (var.PU-31) was recorded with an increased yield of 16% to 20%.

Similarly, a total income of Rs. 8,45,750/- was generated in the Group approach in Vegetable & Fruit Farming under the Nutritional Security Model. Out of it, a value of Rs. 6,76,600/- of vegetables & fruits was used for household consumption and Rs. 1,69,150/- of vegetables & fruits were sold in the open market.

Hence, the adoption of cultivation of highly nutritious vegetables and fruits helped in increasing the nutrition requirement of the farm families. The introduction of high protein content HYV varieties of rice added an additional mean protein yield of 2.89 q/ha which helped to meet the nutrition requirement of farm women and provide sufficient zinc. The black gram’s intake helps to meet the protein requirement of the farm women.

The Entrepreneurship Promotion Model generated a total yield of 651.4 Kg of Paddy Straw Mushroom with a total income of Rs. 1,30,280/- out of which a value of Rs. 39,084/- of Mushroom was used for household consumption and Rs. 91,196/- of Mushroom was sold in the open market with an increase yield range from 25% to 30%.

Considering this, an Entrepreneurship Promotion Model was to be implemented in conversion mode of the Institute-Industries-Stakeholder’s linkages.

The models generated profits and awareness among the Women Farmers’ Group “Ananya Mahila Bikas Samiti” for the cluster-based production and motivated them to replicate the models in the different locations of the cluster. This helps to promote the empowerment of farm women in Agriculture.

(Source: ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar, Odisha)