WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN AGRICULTURE IN NOTHERN PART OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

The study was conducted in the 6 upazilla of 3 selected districts of Bangladesh to find out the present status of women participation in agriculture. The aims of the study are to explore women’s agricultural participation through a household survey questionnaire for generating quantitative data. A cross-sectional survey method was used to collect responses from 80 respondents. To examine the status and quality of participation, an empowerment index was developed and to compare the impact of participation of women, a comparative assessment was done. It was found that the educational status of the women in this study area is very poor and not up to the mark. We found that about 55 percent of the women participate in agriculture whose age were 30 or below 30 years. From the data of agricultural training profile of participant woman, it was found that about 35 percent of women have taken training about agricultural activities which is not adequate. From factor analysis it was found that crop production decision for consumption, ownership of asset and own educational qualification of participant women are the most influential factor for women empowerment. It was found that the empowerment index for agricultural activities is 3.56 and for non-agricultural activities is 3.76 whereas the average empowerment index for all respondents is 3.66. The weighted average of the decision-making factors it was found that, women mostly play their role in household decision-making factors. So, to increase empowerment and to make women more active, awareness building campaigns and programs to give light of education should be massively run in the rural area.