Status of Rural Women in Dairy Farming in Amritsar District of Punjab

The present study examines the status of rural women in dairy farming in Amritsar district of Punjab. The study was based on the primary data collected for 2019-20 year from female dairy farmers selected through multistage purposive sampling technique. The data was analysed by using simple tabular analysis and other statistical tools. All the activities related to dairy farming was performed by female dairy farmers. Small size female dairy farmers performed all the activities related to dairy farming ranging from disposal of cow dung to care of sick and new born animals. Large size female dairy farmers hired labour for dairy activities due to higher income of the households and large number of animals. The role of rural women in decision making is paradoxical to their contribution in dairy farming. For various dairy related decisions like feeding of milch animals, management of milch animals, sale of milk and utilization of amount obtained from dairy farming rural women either only consulted or had no role in decision making. Independent decision making by rural women in dairy related activities was negligible in the study area.

The major factors affecting the income of female dairy farmers was education, operated area and herd size. The main problems faced by female dairy farmers were negligible role of dairy farm women in decision making, non availability of adequate veterinary services, illiteracy of dairy farm women, lack of staff at government hospitals and lack of capital. The study suggested that to increase the income of rural women from dairy rural women should be more educated and empowered through extension facilities by government. Due to stagnation in growth of agriculture, dairy can be used as an alternative for marginal and small farmers for increasing their income. Marginal and small female dairy farmers should be give more subsidies, loan and training for dairy business. Strict rules should be made regarding working of veterinary hospitals as the doctors were not available in the government veterinary hospitals in the study area.