Preface Women in India number nearly 500 million constituting 49 % of total population of which 70% live in villages. Farm women carry out 75-80% farm work with 50-66% of them contributing to agricultural labour. Raising nurseries, transplanting, manual weeding, harvesting, threshing and storage are exclusively women’s activities. In case of livestock more than 90% of the work is done by women. In addition rural women manage household chores, bear and rare children. Some of the problems faced by them are scarcity of resources, drudgery, economic deprivation, gender bias in wages, denial to make decisions and use income generated by farm activities. They have limited opportunities to articulate their needs and concerns during planning process in the local bodies because of men’s dominance. A cursory review of problems of rural women reveal constraints, limitations, biases, mostly related to their gender. Some of the major areas affecting their life and hindering the realization of their potential for high economic growth and personal empowerment are:-

There streams of thought are presented in this paper: One, that rural women are not only the warriors, creative actors in the agricultural scene, or rural areas, but also the urban poor, the  migrants , the homeless, the source of labour supply into the expanding urban spaces, including trafficking.   I would then argue [two] that this spread of the location of “rural women” is the phenomena that we should now look at, the connectivity between the old divisions of rural and urban, as it indicates the pressures that the current development paradigms operating in our countries, is putting on the RURAL … and therefore that we should look at the macroeconomic policies that are in place, globally and regionally and  nationally.

Abstract In this investigation the low dose effects of pesticides were analyzed both in vitro and in vivo in peripheral blood samples from healthy donors and also in farmers occupationally exposed to pesticides. In vitro studies were conducted to assess the toxicity caused by commonly used pesticides like monocrotophos, profenofos, chlorpyriphos, endosulfan, acephate on lymphocytes from peripheral blood samples. In almost all experiments we could determine chromosomal aberrations and DNA damage at 1/10th of LC50 dosage of the pesticides. For analyzing the in vivo effects, epidemiological studies were conducted in pesticide exposed agricultural workers. The 200 exposed volunteers suffered from fever, nausea, headache and other abnormal symptoms and visited the hospital for general health check-up. These cases were taken up for more detailed studies. Five of them (2.5%) showed decrease in RBC, haemoglobin, and increase in WBC with a large number of immature cells. These volunteers were further diagnosed as Philadelphia negative Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) cases based on clinical and pathological examinations. In similar environs, about 3% of the exposed children showed signs of mental retardation and delayed milestones. It is therefore, concluded that clinical evaluations supported by occupational epidemiology could determine CML in exposed individuals (adults). At low doses we have traced the effect of pesticides at molecular level.

Abstract The paper examines some important issues of gender inequity in Agriculture. The issues are women’s contribution to agricultural GDP and their access to agricultural resources such as land, water, credit and technology. The paper also examines gender discrimination in agricultural wages. The paper is in three parts. The first part examines the contribution of women to agriculture in terms of time spent by women on activities and number of women engaged in productive agricultural activities with the help of the data from time use surveys and the National Sample Survey Organization’s Reports and the 2001 census. The second part of the paper then analyses Women’s poor access to land, water, credit and technology that reduces their productivity. The second part also elaborates how the women’s work is undervalued in the economy resulting in a huge amount of unpaid work in family agricultural enterprises and low wages in paid work. The third part explicitly elaborates the adverse consequences of such imbalance in terms of misallocation of resources to unsustainable agricultural production as against sustainable production.

Abstract Several methods of composting are in practice in India such as the anaerobic pit composting, Indore method, NADEP method, bio dung method and vermicomposting. Wastes at the domestic, community and industrial level, can be converted to compost as a viable solution in solid waste management, as well as compost production as a viable micro-enterprise functioning as income generation program. Agricultural waste and residues are an excellent resource for composting at rural centres. Beneficial use of this compost in organic farming as well as in soil bioremediation has been well proven.

Abstract Nutrition is basic to sustainable development being concerned with ensuring food at all times in terms of quality and quantity. As a bridge between food and health it interlinks several variables such as environment and protection from illness and disease, which helps to lead to an optimal quality life. Despite the substantial progress made in India’s food production, serious nutritional challenges continue to threaten her development in human resource development more so rural women are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition. Poor nutritional status of women during adolescence and their resultant vulnerability to anaemia during pregnancy contributes to a higher level of low birth weight children and if it happens to be girl child then the vicious cycle continues. Although food is available through markets at the district and village level, food security at the house hold level becomes a challenge because of lack of purchasing power. Women contribute significantly to agriculture production; on an average their contribution will be around 55-65 per cent. Hence, conscious effort is needed to develop an intervention strategy. One such strategy would be empowerment of women through transfer of technology, which will help in income generation especially during lean agriculture seasons. Priority areas in the field of nutrition for technology transfer would be processing, preservation and value addition of agro based crops. However, training is required for skill upgrading and capacity building of women.

Abstract Peri-urban horticulture is fast catching on as a viable business proposition. Participation of women is envisaged as a significant input in such an enterprise. Tissue culture propagation or ‘’Micro propagation’ is a good candidate in this context among several biotechnologies available today. Micro propagation as a means of rapidly multiplying plants in a relatively small space irrespective of the season of the year has steadily gained popularity. Planting material in horticultural crops like banana and several other vegetatively propagated crops like ornamentals is in perpetual demand and can be met economically if women launched micro propagation as a peri-urban cottage industry. As against low rates of multiplication with conventional technologies, it is possible to raise thousands of propagules from a single starter-culture in a year’s time using newer technologies. Details of setting up the industry on a home-scale and participation of women in peri-urban areas in this enterprise are discussed in this plenary talk.

Abstract Bio-intensive pest management modules have been developed by the Project Directorate of Biological Control (PDBC) for management of pests on cotton, sugarcane, rice, citrus and several other crops. These modules lay emphasis on release of bio-control agents like parasitoids, predators and pathogens and reducing chemical pesticide applications to the possible extent. The pre-requisite of any bio-control programme is to have a large-scale supply of beneficial agents. It is at this juncture that women can play a major role. If the biocontrol strategy has to become popular, there should be reliable sources, which can assure timely and adequate supply of quality bio-agents for large-scale field releases. It would be most appropriate to educate farm-women on the importance of natural enemies and to provide them with incentives to start bioagent production units. Again, if the concept of biological control with the involvement of women has to succeed, massive educational programmes should be initiated. Women can become active participants at the village level mass production units, which could cater to the needs of farmers of different regions of our country. This could solve the problems encountered in long distance shipment of bio-agents. Besides creating awareness among women, these insectaries/production units can provide job opportunities for the rural and urban women.

Abstract Scarcity of resources, economic deprivation, gender bias in wages, prevention from decision making and using income generated by farm activities has made life miserable and unjustifiably hard for rural women. The plight of rural women can be improved by dissemination of latest technologies in agriculture, creating small entrepreneurial outlets for agri-based products, networking of support services for women, development of new and adoption of drudgery reducing technologies, improvement in rural infrastructure to improve the life style and to promote entrepreneurial opportunities, better access to resources, organizing women’s co-operative movement, larger role in decision making, mandatory involvement of women in all agencies and organizations involved in rural development, feedback and follow up of women’s programmes and recognizing the success of rural women by government and its highlighting by media.

Abstract Although women were not recognized as essential components of Agriculture for a long time, of late due recognition has been given to the role of women in agricultural production and steps have been taken to bring more and more women farmers into main stream, through Shree Shakthi Sanghas and Self Help Groups for women. Special projects aided by outside agencies and voluntary organizations such as WYTEP, IRDP, TRYSEM, DWCRA etc. provide training to farm women.These operations include selection and treatment of seed, protection of the seed or plant material, land preparation, application of manures and fertilizers, sowing or planting, nursery raising, irrigation, weeding, earthing up, pinching or thinning, training and pruning top dressing, plant protection, harvesting, transport and post-harvest operations such as threshing, winnowing, sieving, cleaning, drying, grading, packing and storage, joining hands with men etc. They also do marketing and disposal of the produce. For household use they take care in hulling, flowering, pounding etc.

Abstract Women become major players in creating sustainable livelihood in rural areas. Though they are the major work force compared to men in agriculture and allied areas, they are considered as invisible entity. Their contribution in total labour force itself is about 55 to 60 per cent. They play multiple roles both in and outside the home by ensuring food security and substantiating nutritional security to the family as a whole. Empowering these women with knowledge and skill to take up vocational income generating activities is prime need of the hour. Further, building their capacities on managerial skills, decision making, and technical competency is also equally important area of concern.

Abstract One of the major distinctive agriculture extension concepts is the Intensive Agricultural Development Village concept or Village Adoption System, where in the Extension Guides who are working at taluk level select a suitable village and disseminate the need based and innovative technologies released by the University. In this connection Extension Education Unit of University of Agricultural Sciences at Mangalore has adopted Irvathur and Renjala villages of Karkala taluk in Udupi district and several educational activities like Field Trials, Result Demonstration, FLD, Block Demonstration and Integrated Farming System Demonstrations were carried out. Training programmes were conducted on Vermiculture, Dairy farming, Paddy cultivation, Cashew demonstration, IPM on Areca nut, Coconut etc., Besides establishing Milk Producer’s Co-operative Societies in the villages, the key programme observed in the village was Vermiculture. To start with, Vermiculture was tried with one farm woman with 100 worms.

Abstract Jasmine production in coastal Karnataka was confined to only few farmers with some specified pockets of coasted belt. Only a hand full of farm women in Belman, Manchakal areas were cultivating jasmine successively. The scientists of Extension Education Unit (EEU), Mangalore Campus of University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore visited the area and conducted a Survey during September 2001 and gathered information about farmers practicing jasmine production in the area and came out with some success stories from the jasmine growing belt. The jasmine market was studied especially the demand for jasmine flowers (Udupi Mallige). It was observed that there was huge demand for Udupi Mallige. The extension specialists conducted training programmes in different locations in the coastal belt of Karnataka which are not traditional jasmine cultivated areas. As a result the technology has spread to the entire coastal belt. At present farm women are supporting themselves soley by cultivating jasmine in an area of 3-5 cents with a minimum of 20 bushes. Further, the KVK’s which are working in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts are also working in this direction through On Farm Testing, Frontline Demonstration, Off campus and On campus training.  Since it involves only women labourers, it is one of the most important and viable subsidiary as well as main occupation of the women folk in the district

INTRODUCTION In the history of human development, woman has been as important as man. In fact, the status, employment and work performed by women in society is the indicator of a nation’s overall progress. Without the participation of women in national activities, the social, economical or political progress of a country will stagnate. Empowerment is a multi-dimensional process, which should enable women to realize their full identity and power in all spheres of life. It consists of greater access to knowledge and resources, greater autonomy in decision making to enable them to have greater ability to plan their lives, or to have greater control over the circumstances that influence their lives and free from shocks imposed on them by customs, beliefs and practices. Generally development with justice is expected to generate the forces that lead to empowerment of various sections of women and to raise their status.

Abstract Various studies put the percent of rural women engaged in agriculture and related activities in India around 65-70%. A majority of them are from economically and socially deprived category and qualify as “poor” or below poverty line. In rural India women play the role of agricultural labourer, fuel gatherer, food provider and home maker. Both central and state governments have framed and implemented various programmes to improve the living conditions of rural people. Measures have also been taken to provide employment and alleviate poverty. Generally these programmes fall into the category of wage employment, self-employment, housing and habitat development, and watershed development programmes. The last mentioned focuses on various water supply schemes to the rural poor and socially deprived. These programmes are evaluated in this paper. Although they are intended to benefit all the poor and jobless in rural Karnataka, the benefits reach women too because of their role as homemakers and food providers. Be it wage earned or drinking water or shelter, these programmes, if implemented sincerely, make the life of farm women less laborious and more comfortable.

Abstract Rural Indian women are extensively involved in agricultural activities and play a major role in agrarian scenario. Majority of the rural farm women are actively involved in various operations related to mixed farming system existing in India. Women and men participate in agricultural and animal husbandry practices as a family unit on the farms. Men perform major share of work quantitatively on agriculture side, where as on the animal husbandry side most of the management operations are being carried out by women in addition to their household activities. Dairy production is less influenced by rain failure compared to crops and is invaluable in sustaining family income during drought. Dairy development is now considered as an important tool for rural development or poverty alleviation. In fact, dairy farming occupies a special place in rural society with its linkage with religion and culture apart from providing sustained income. Most of the cattle and buffaloes are commonly kept in every farm household primarily for socio-economic reasons and more importantly for gaining drought power and as a secondary source of nutrition subsistence in the form milk and milk products for the whole family. In this context, a study was conducted in Karkala taluk of Udupi district with the major objective of studying the form and extent of participation of farm women in various operations of animal husbandry. The attempt made in this regard has revealed that rural women are fully involved in majority of the operations either as manual workers or as supervisors. Hence, it is suggested that for massive empowerment of rural women, animal husbandry programmes need to be launched as they are inherently profitable.

Abstract Entrepreneurial training was offered to village women in the field of agriculture especially for women members of Self Help Groups. These women were trained in the production, utilization and marketing of Bio dung compost and vermicompost from agricultural wastes. They were also trained in the production, utilization and marketing of vermiwash (a liquid foliar spray), Panchagavya, biopesticides and herbal pest repellents using locally available plant materials. An attempt was also made to educate the people on the importance of food and nutrition through diet counselling and the importance of nutrient (kitchen) gardens. They were trained about Circular (Ring) Gardens and Double Digging gardens. The women were given these trainings as part of converting them from dependence on chemicals in agriculture to organic farming. There was overwhelming response, and the women now use these agricultural products in their own fields.

Abstract Formulation  of  any  action  plan for women needs understanding of their  access  to  and  control over the resources. To have deep  insight into  this  aspect, a study  was  undertaken with 240  small  and  marginal  farm  women  randomly  selected  from  eight  villages  of  four districts  in  Andhra Pradesh  in  consultation  with  officials of agriculture department. Using an interview schedule, impediments  for development  of  farm  women  (social, economic, psychological, extension and technical)  were  collected  and  prioritized  through  matrix ranking. To  overcome  social  and  economic  constraints, gender  mainstreaming  and  budgeting  are  now recognized as the most important strategies  for  women’s empowerment at all stages of any developmental  programmes. Such an approach necessarily aims at achievement  of  gender equality. Organizing capacity building programmes in managerial, entrepreneurial, negotiating and leadership skills improves risk taking  ability (psychological) and enhances active participation of farm women in developmental activities.

Abstract Major occupation of women in Bijapur area is agriculture with an average land holding of 1-2 ha. Most of them are unaware of advantages of vermicompost. In recent times, dependence on agriculture is becoming very difficult for them. Majority of the women population in these areas are below poverty line (BPL), because of increased cost of production, and fluctuations in market prices of major crops grown by them. Erratic and ill distributed rain fall pattern makes life hard for them. The ill effects of chemical fertilizers have lead to interest in organic farming through vermiculturing using farm and urban wastes in order to produce risk free crop at reduced cost of cultivation.

Abstract Empowerment strategy is today emerging as a unique Indian response to the challenge of equality and development. As per the population census, women constitute more than 50 percent of total population, but rural farm women are the most deprived in today’s world.  Farm women are poorest among poor. Even though they work the longest hours on farm and have achieved more with lesser resources, they are not recognized and appreciated for their contribution. In India 78 percent of all economically active women are engaged in agriculture. Almost 50 percent of rural female workers are agricultural labourers and 37 percent are cultivators. The rural poor also demand development through creating income generating activities for women in rural areas. Women empowerment gained momentum after independence through different governmental programmes such as education, creating income, self help groups, subsidy programs to women etc. Women can derive income from subsidiary enterprises such as dairy, duckry, poultry, etc., and preparation of vermi-compost, vegetable cultivation, preparation of jam, jellies, papads, pickles, embroidery, tailoring, honey bee keeping, kitchen garden, value addition and food processing etc.

Abstract Women emancipation, women liberation, women awareness, women upliftment, women empowerment, gender equity etc. are the buzz words our media cashes on. But the question remains: What has made us all to talk about her in 21st century? Unfortunate, but true that women, constituting one half of the total world population, have been treated as second class citizens and denied even the basic rights. Men have dominated her by neglecting her talent, capabilities and potential. Many measures were undertaken by the Government for the betterment of the women such as the creation of National Commission for Women, Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women, Gender Budgeting besides creating many disciplines in various institutions/Universities for women studies and passing several   pro women laws to protect her rights. But this is not enough. What is needed is the freedom from disability of any kind lying in the minds of various sections of the society. A woman need not be pitied but given the due she deserves.

Abstract The Stree Shakthi Groups (SHGs) were launched in Karnataka during 2000-01 aimed at improving the overall development of rural women in Karnataka. A review of the progress achieved by these illeterate or less educated, hither to continued to be economically dependent with no voice in decision making, is nothing short of a miracle. With an enrollment of one and a half million in 5000 villages, their savings and borrowings run into hundreds of crores and employment opportunities are provided to lakhs of farm women. Apart from agriculture related activities, some of them have also involved in some unconventional, income generating activites. Economic empowerment has emboldened these beneficiaries to not only fight against social evils but also win their battles. Overall, SHGs have transformed the life of rural women treatmendously in a positive direction.

INTRODUCTION Women constitute half of the humanity, contributing to two-thirds of world’s work hours. She earns only one-third of the total income and owns less than one-tenth of the world’s resources. This shows that the economic status of women is in a pathetic condition and this is more so in a country like India. Rural women in India share abundant responsibility and perform a wide spectrum of duties in running the family, maintaining the house, involving in activities like rearing, feeding livestock, attending to farm labour, and the likes. Still they suffer economically and are socially invisible. Training of rural women is important so as to increase their involvement in developmental process, enhance their skill and make them equal partners in national development.

Abstract Rural woman plays dominant role in dairy husbandry activities. Capacity building of rural women in this enterprise is the need of the hour to sustain 4% growth rate in dairy sector as the future demand for dairy products is bound to increase.  Specific objectives of the study are to understand the socio-economic and dairy husbandry scenario of households; knowledge level about different aspects of dairy husbandry; impact of training on knowledge and; policy implications for their capacity building for this enterprise in the state of Haryana. The data towards this end was collected from a survey conducted on 180 women trainees where pre and post models were used. The background socio-economic variables of women trainees were: 26-45 years age group, literacy of 76.12% and the main occupation was agriculture and household management. Milch buffalo (84.45%) was the main dairy animal. Milk production of more than 5 litres was found in 55.54 percent households and selling of milk more than this quantity was seen in 14.14 percent households. About 60 percent of woman trainees themselves looked after the animals. Pre-training knowledge reveals that majority of women knew the right milking method (70.6%) and breed of buffalo (62.2%).

Abstract We are working with Soliga farmers and introducing simple ‘organic’ technologies to increase yields, diversify the farms, and conserve soil and water.  Introducing these technologies depends on a strategy of using on-farm trials for low-risk interventions and field-station trials for high-risk interventions. Low-risk interventions include the use of contour row-sowing rather than broadcast sowing, improved access to traditional varieties of seeds, and composting practices. The relatively high-risk interventions are to incorporate locally grafted high-yielding amla and related fruit trees, and selecting high-yielding local crop varieties, and crop rotation. All interventions were aimed to strengthen on-farm capacities, improve sustainable traditional technologies and enhancement of livelihood security.

Abstract The green revolution concentrated only on a single enterprise, the crop.  Later on, developments in other enterprises like dairy, poultry, piggery, fishery, etc took place, however in an isolated manner.  Now it is essential to diversify the economic activities in an interdependent and integrated manner at micro level within the available resources. The system thus developed will be termed as integrated farming system approach.  This helps in generating sustained, stable farm income and higher employment. To achieve these objectives, several extension programmers were designed and conducted in integrated farming system demonstration undertaken by the Extension Education Unit of University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore in close association with other subject matter specialists. The programmes were implemented in selected taluks of Eastern Dry Zone of Karnataka. One such case study is presented here.

Abstract The study was conducted in Tumkur district which is considered as a very progressive district with 7230 SHG’s. It has 11 taluks out of which Tumkur taluk was selected for the study. Within this taluk, a cluster of 7 SHG’s were considered for the study. The results show that more than three fourths of Stree Shakthi group members came to know about the Stree Shakthi Programme through anganawadi workers (92.5%) followed by news papers (7.5%). It is also interesting to note that 87.5% reported that to a great extent their attitude changed about bringing up their children without discrimination, sending their daughter to school compulsorily and growing vegetables in their backyard. Further results reveal that SSP is changing the attitude of rural setting. Family problems, cast and religion, lack of encouragement in the family, political problem were the major constraints in SHG as perceived by the members.  Still SSG has made some qualitative changes in the lives of the rural people.

Abstract In India, women’s economic productivity is rather critical to 60 million households whose family members live below the poverty line. Therefore, the empowerment of poor women is vital for bringing down rural poverty.  The operation of the DWCRA project during the VIII plan of government of India (GOI) had inadequate impact and therefore, failed in organizing cohesion within and among the groups to identify the activities that could generate sustained income.  Considering the importance of women and lacunae in the Rural development programmes, Swarnajayanti Grama Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) was evolved and was launched on 1st April, 1999. With this, the erstwhile programmes viz. IRDP, DWCRA, TRYSEM, SITRA, GKY and MWs ceased operation.  SGSY aims at establishing a large number of micro enterprises in the rural areas. The ‘beneficiary’ families (known as Swarozgaris) may be individuals or groups (Self Help Groups).

Abstract The present study was undertaken to analyse factors contributing to participation of rural women in Self Help Groups (SHGs), constraints faced by them and to elicit their opinion to strengthen the role of SHGs. The finding has revealed that, majority of the respondents has suggested that they should be provided with loans and the rate of interest on loans should be less.  Further, they also suggested that instead of existing loan structure from the bank and saving amount within the group must be increased which can be invested on other activities. It was also reasoned that the provision of low interest loan from the banks and purchase of raw materials at cheaper rate can improve the financial status of farm women.

Abstract The participation level of farm women in economic activities of self-help groups to know the socio-economic factors contributing to their participation in such groups and the constraints faced by them was studied during 2004-05 at Kadur taluk of Chikkamagalore district of Karnataka. Apart from these findings on the factors affecting their involvement in SHGs and the problems faced by them, the study also revealed that majority of farm women had medium level of family income, mass media participation and, low level of communication status.

Abstract Women play a pivotal role in agriculture, in addition to the traditional role of nourishing progeny as mother and attending to the day to day needs of the home as housewife. Women also add to the family income as wage earners. While comprising half of humanity, contributing to two thirds of the world’s work hours, a woman earns only one third of the total income and owns less than one tenth of the world’s resources.  In a country like India which is the home  for over 400 million women, the economic status of women is in pathetic condition and they have always been discriminated against men in human resource development with  utter disregard to their actual and potential contribution to the national progress in general and agricultural progress in particular. The largest sector of India’s economy, agriculture, contributes to 37 percent of the Gross National Product (GNP) and accounts for 60 percent of the employment.

Abstract Women constitute almost half of the population of modern India. Eighty percent of the women population in India live in the rural areas and most of them are engaged in agriculture and allied activities and play a significant role in domestic and socio economic life of the society. Women play a vital role in ensuring proper development and growth of children. They also contribute significantly towards income generation, food preparation and health of the family members. However it is this women segment which is most neglected and suffers from poor health. Health and Nutritional status of this important and substantial segment of the society is very important. The present study investigates the nutritional profile and morbidity status of women in villages around Bangalore city.

Abstract A survey was conducted in five different villages of Kangra district (HP) namely Padhiarkhar, Lachoon, Avery, Saliana and Patti. Thirty families from each village were selected. A sample of 650 subjects of different age groups was surveyed to assess their food and nutrient intake. It was observed that the food and nutrient intake was less as compared with the Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA). To meet the RDA of the vulnerable section of the society some of the energy rich recipes were prepared under All India Coordinated Research Project in Home Science. The recipes prepared were weaning mix (salty), Weaning mix (sweet), Papad, Shakerpare, Mathri, Pinni, Amaranth ladoo, Methi ladoo and Panjiri. These products were organoleplically acceptable. No fat content was found in the papad but it contained good amount of the vitamin C i.e. 70mg/100g. Maximum fat content was found in the panjiri (39.3g/100g). Protein content ranged between 0.78-5.64g/100g, minimum in panjiri and maximum in weaning mix (salty).

Abstract The known views in society about the biotech foods were collected and structured in statements. An opinion survey of sixty scientists of CCS Haryana Agricultural University on these statements was conducted. Half of the scientists agreed that there were no biotech food products in our country. Biotech foods were considered safe for human consumption by 61.7% of the respondents. A large majority of the scientists considered that biotech foods were different in taste from foods made from conventional crops. Similarly 65% of scientists had the opinion that biotech crops increase food allergies. Fifty percent of the scientists agreed that biotech foods were regulated and tested. The rest opined that labeling is needed for biotech foods even in USA. Overwhelming majority felt that biotech foods were not widely accepted. Meat, milk and egg products from biotech animals were not concieved as unsafe to eat by 43.3% respondents. Equal number of scientists felt the same about foods produced through biotechnology and viewed that these were not tested for health.

Abstract Self Help Group (SHG) has emerged as a new paradigm for combating poverty and self help promotion has become one of the major developmental strategy in the country today. The self help groups are motivated to take up suitable micro entrepreneurship for income generation either individually or in groups, which is dependent on the resource availability and their skills. The empowered SHG women have started different small enterprises such as papad making, malt preparation, different value added products, and other agro based industries which has increased their income. In recent years agro processing and value addition to the farm produce have attained great socio economic significance. A massive thrust to food processing and other agro based industries will add value to the product there by increasing the income of farmers, create employment opportunities, diversify rural economy and foster rural industrialization.

Abstract The food security scenario in South Asia has witnessed rapid progress over the last few decades, yet nutrition outcomes, especially those related to women and children, have failed to keep pace. This paper contends that the role of women in providing food and nutrition security at the household and individual level needs to be examined, if the paradox of persisting malnutrition amid macro level food sufficiency is to be resolved. Food security, in its broader connotation, results from the availability of adequate food, effective consumption, and desirable nutrition outcomes. As such, it is intricately linked with a woman’s multiple roles expressed in her productive, reproductive, and caring functions. However, even focused efforts aimed at resolving the problems faced by women in performing one or other of their roles, may fail to produce expected results, if the issues underlying each function and their inter-linkages are not fully understood. The paper thus attempts to review various aspects of the relationship between women and food security in South Asia, highlights the issues that require urgent focus and indicates emerging concerns in the region.

Abstract Farm women are the backbone of Indian agriculture. They contribute more to food production and family income in terms of skilled and entrepreneurship than is generally known or accepted. Thus the governmental efforts to reach the development goals may be jeopardised by not taking into account the women’s contribution to agriculture. In this age of scientific development farm women have not participated to the extent they are expected in agriculture because they are not recognized as tangible contributors to agricultural development. They always remained as invisible workers in spite of their pivotal role and remain silently behind all the efforts of men. Very few scientific and empirical investigations have been made to examine the actual participation of farm women in crop production and dairy production activities. Taking the above situation into consideration, four minuscule studies were conducted in Bangalore, Mysore, Mandya and Chamarajanagar districts of Karnataka to know the level, extent and nature of participation of women in home, farm and livestock production activities.

Abstract The present paper examines the effect of fodder cutting and uprooting activity on the cardiovascular system of farm women. The research design comprised of field study conducted on 30 farm women. The activity of cutting and uprooting were studied with the traditional tools as well as with the improved tools. Newly designed and developed slashing knife and uprooter were provided to the respondents for performing the activity of cutting and uprooting. The results revealed significant reduction in average working heart rate (2.08** - cutting and 4.99** - uprooting; Significant at 5% level) and peak heart rate (-3.55**- cutting and 1.70**- uprooting; Significant at 5% level).  It was found that there was significant reduction in muscular stress after use of improved tools over the existing tools.

Abstract The present study aims to assess postural and muscular stress among farm women performing weeding and winnowing operations. Postural stress was assessed through postural deviation in spinal curvature, energy expenditure, physical cost of work, cardiac cost of work, pain in different body parts and muscular stress was assessed by percentage decrease in grip strength. Postural deviations were recorded with the help of flexi curve. Heart rate was calculated in 3 phases: before, during and after the work. Energy expenditure, physical cost of work, cardiac cost of work was also calculated. Grip strength of both hands was calculated by grip dynamometer. The mean value of ergonomic parameters were found more in weeding operation which were as follows : -Postural deviation (250), Average heart rate (5.35), energy expenditure (5.70), physical cost of work (3.05), total cardiac cost of work (35.82). After weeding operation farm women perceived very severe pain in lower back, buttocks, and palms, while after winnowing they experienced very severe pain in shoulder, upper back and upper arms.

Abstract Sericulture, an agro-based industry contributes significantly to Indian economy.  Silk cocoons are reeled on charaka, cottage and multiend reeling machines. Of these more than 50% of raw silk comes from charaka sector. Charaka silk reeling units decreased from 23971 to 16263 (1998-2003) in Karnataka. These charakas are mostly operated at grass root level with labour coming from small, marginal and land less villagers. A study was conducted in 15 charaka reeling units in two taluks each of Bangalore rural, Mysore, Kolar and Chamarajanagar districts. Respondents were grouped into small (1-4 charakas), medium (5-8) and large charaka reelers (>8). Primary data was collected with pre-tested schedules.

Abstract Women of sixteen villages in Bhadra wildlife sanctuary were interviewed for assessing the role of women on forest policies and conservation of natural resources. Survey conducted during 1996-1997 indicated that women in general declined to comment upon natural resources. Ninety percent of women had no knowledge about natural resources. Except for Fire Protection Act women had no knowledge of other government policies. They had no say in policies and conservation of natural resources in Bhadra wildlife sanctuary. As a result there has been encroachment of forest area, cultivation in forest land, shifting cultivation, hunting, smuggling, open cast mining and deforestation. To make role of women active and effective for conservation of natural resources in Bhadra wildlife sanctuary, suggestions have been advanced in this paper based on a survey.

Abstract The total Indian population is 1027.01 millions of which women account for 495.73 millions (2001 census). Women constitute about 48.27 percent of the population. The labour force participation of the women is 51.6 percent. In rural India, agricultural and allied activities employ as much as 89.5 percent of the female labour. Women have an active role and extensive involvement in livestock production, forest resource use and fishery processing. They contribute considerably to household income through farm and non-farm activities as well as through landless agricultural labours. They are deprived of exposure to knowledge and hardly participate in the process of decision-making. Female agricultural labourers are the poorest section of Indian society. Despite the women’s role in agriculture there has been a lack of adequate attention towards gender issue in the area of agriculture research.

Abstract Role of women in agriculture is a well-known fact and is unquestionable. The changing trend in agriculture technology, use of modern tools, and wider participation of community is crucial in making farming activity as an attractive field of employment. While most of the young and male population is shifting to urban areas for wage based non-agriculture activity, women have to bear the burden of agriculture in villages. The drudgery faced by women in farm activiies need to be reduced and value addition to the farm products is required at home  scale/community scale in the villages. Newer and economically viable systems need to be introduced at village level with ample scope for women to participate in these activities. Women should not only be partners in agriculture but they also should take lead in entrepreneurship and in value addition. Further marketing systems for the products need to be established. 

Annexure - 8(B) Consultation on “Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005 and its impact on Rights to Land Ownership for Women in the context of Increasing feminization of Agriculture” held on 21st September, 2005 at MSSRF (M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai)     1.    It is heartening to note that the Parliament has passed the Hindu Succession Amendment Bill, 2005 and the Act has come into effect from 6th September 2005. This in turn is of great relevance in the context of NCF’s (National Commission on Farmers) terms of reference which interalia cover “Recommendation to be made for the credit, knowledge, skill, technological and marketing empowerment of women, taking into consideration  the increasing feminization of agriculture and the proposed conferment of right to land ownership”.