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

Based on 3E’s concept for farm women that is Equity, Entrepreneurship & Empowerment, ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar implemented a project under ICAR-NASF Project in a cluster of two villages’ viz., Sankilo and Tentalpur under Nischintakoili block of Cuttack district of Odisha by adopting 40 farm women. The fundamental concept 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.

In this context 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.

Under Livelihood Enhancement Model the group approach in vegetable farming under Livelihood enhancement model has generated a total income of Rs. 6, 59,300/- out of which a value of Rs. 98,895/- of vegetables has used for household consumption and Rs. 5, 60,405/- of vegetables sold in open market. The increase in yield under demonstrations was range from 22 to 30% over existing farmers' practice. Highest Benefit cost ratio of vegetables observed in brinjal (3.41) followed by chili (3.20).

In case of rice production, the economic analysis of trial indicates higher mean gross and net returns of the demonstration to the tune of Rs.1, 16,663 and Rs.64, 213, respectively. 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 demonstrations over existing farmers' practice. The average yield of 2.95 t/ha. of black gram (var.PU-31) was recorded with an increase yield of 16 to 20%.

Similarly, the group approach in vegetable & fruit farming under Nutritional Security Model has generated a total income of Rs. 8, 45,750/- out of which a value of Rs. 6,76,600/- of vegetables & fruits used for household consumption and Rs. 1,69,150/- of vegetables & fruits sold in open market. Hence, by adoption of cultivation of highly nutritious vegetables and fruits help in increasing the nutrition requirement of the farm families. Introduction of high protein content HYV varieties of rice added additional mean protein yield of 2.89 q/ha which help to meet out nutrition requirement of farm women as well as provide sufficient zinc. The intake of black gram helps to meet out protein requirement of the farm women.

Entrepreneurship Promotion Model has 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 has used for household consumption and Rs. 91,196/- of mushroom sold in 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 Institute-Industries-stakeholder’s linkages.

The above such models has generated profits and awareness among the women farmer group “Ananya Mahila Bikas Samiti” for cluster based production and motivated them to replicate these models in different location of the cluster which helps to promote empowerment of farm women in Agriculture.