Participation and role of rural women in decision making related to farm activities: A study in Burdwan district of West Bengal

This study analysed women's participation and decision making process in farming activities in Katwa Block-I of Burdwan district, India. Most rural women farmers sampled in this study were young in the age group between 20–35 years; predominantly on nuclear families; and from Hindu SC & ST and Hindu OBC households. WPR in farming activities decreased with the increase of education levels. Large number of women respondents was engaged in agricultural labours. It was observed that decision making power was positively correlated with the age of the women. Education of farm women was found effective in the participation of farm women in agricultural decision making process. Respondents of forward castes participated in farming decisions with greater frequencies than SC and ST. Although, the decision making score was higher among the male farmers, most decisions were taken jointly by both female and male participants indicating the development of social status of the farming women.