Plight of women in agriculture sector: a case study

Agriculture is becoming increasingly ‘feminised’ globally as men move out of the sector more quickly than women. The reasons for increasing female representation in agriculture vary from voluntary and involuntary withdrawal of men from farming, to growing wage opportunities for women in export-oriented non-traditional crops and activities. An attempt has been made in paper to discuss the condition of women working in agriculture sector in India with special reference to Haryana. The women working in agriculture sector have to face much more problems as compared to women in any other sector. The central focus of the paper is to throw light on the state of women while critically analysing their condition in terms of their socio- economic status in contemporary globalised society. Generally, there is lack of formal education, skills and knowledge among women working in agriculture sector. Beside lack of proper legislations, there is also lack of awareness of rights among women working in agriculture sector. The problem of improving the condition of women working specially in agriculture sector seems to be extremely complex in developing nations like India. Very little efforts are made in for the women working in agriculture sector. It calls for serious attempt on improving their financial and social condition. Actions such as recognition of labour; more facilities to poor rural women for land, agricultural and livestock extension services; separate education policy to enhance women's literacy rate; Priority to women in accessing credit on soft terms from banks and other financial institutions for setting up their business, for buying properties, and for house building and involvement of women in decision-making bodies that have the potential to introduce structural changes could bring some changes in the gender relations in the society.