Indian Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Studies

Women’s Participation in Agriculture and Allied Activities: A Study of Kanpur Dehat District (U.P.)

This study examines the extent and nature of women’s engagement in agriculture and allied sectors in Kanpur Dehat, Uttar Pradesh. A literature review highlights the central role of rural women in farming. for example, FAO (2011) reports that women constitute about 43% of the global agricultural labour force while emphasizing persistent gender gaps in access to land, inputs and decision-making. Based on primary survey data of rural women in Kanpur Dehat (n=100), descriptive statistics reveal that only a minority have farming as their main work: about 23% of respondents are primarily farmers and an additional 9% work in dairy/livestock (Table 1). Allied-sector participation is even lower (about 18% engaged in food processing or rural crafts; Table 2). The majority of women reported no formal involvement in agricultural or allied enterprises. These findings show that most rural women in the district contribute informally (e.g. assisting family farms) rather than as identified agricultural workers. Constraints such as limited training, credit and social norms (discussed in literature) help explain this low formal participation. The paper concludes that integrating women through targeted schemes and skill-building could enhance their visible contribution to agriculture and rural livelihoods.