Assessment of Socio-economic Status of Coastal Farm Women of Odisha in Agri-allied Sector

Abstract

In Indian society, women have a multi-dimensional role. A significant proportion of women in India participate in agricultural activities, serving as cultivators, supervisors, or labourers in the farming sector. However, the socio-economic attributes of coastal farm women, such as education, income, and resource access, remain inadequately explored, posing challenges to sustainable development in this sector. With this background, a comprehensive investigation was carried out to evaluate the socio-economic characteristics of women engaged in agriculture within the coastal districts of Odisha, emphasizing their contributions to agricultural networking and the dissemination of information. A random sampling technique was utilised to choose 240 participants from Ganjam district, noted for having the highest proportion of female agricultural labourers. Data collection was conducted via household surveys in the years 2023-24, focusing on various factors including age, education, caste, family structure, family size, marital status, farming experience, type of housing, social engagement, and cosmopolitanism. The Key findings are that a substantial majority of participants (65.83%) are situated in the productive age range of 30-50 years, with a noteworthy percentage (70%) identified as part of the General caste category. The levels of education exhibited considerable variation, with 40.83% achieving a high school education, underscoring the significance of literacy in making agricultural decisions. The analysis further examined economic parameters, indicating that 48.33% of the participants belong to the medium-income category. Furthermore, the evaluation of communication and extension participation revealed that 49.17% of individuals had a moderate level of communication resources, yet exposure to mass media and involvement in extension activities were notably limited. The results highlight the necessity for enhanced access to agricultural communication resources and services that are responsive to gender considerations. This investigation enhances comprehension of the socio-economic dynamics surrounding coastal farm women and their contributions to agricultural development, highlighting the significance of improved networking and information sharing.