Marginalisation Of Women In Agriculture: A Study Of Soura Tribe In Gajapati District

Abstract

This paper emphasizes on the present situation of women in agriculture and suggests possible roadmaps to mainstream women in development process. Women’s contribution in any economy is inevitable. Their roles vary region to region, work to work, state to state, and country to country. Women are agricultural labour forces and marginalized workers. They participate in many aspects of rural life – in paid employment, trade and marketing, as well as many unpaid activities, such as tending animals, collecting water and wood for fuel, and caring for family members. Women are the backbone of agricultural workforce in the country. In the world women are the engine of agricultural workforce; but worldwide her hard work has mostly been remained unpaid (DARE: 2003).Women play a vital role in advancing agricultural development and food security (FAO: 2011). They participate in many aspects of rural life – in paid employment, trade and marketing as well as many unpaid activities, such as tending animals, collecting water and wood for fuel and caring for family members. Women also manage household consumption and food preparation ( Doss etal: 2008) . Keyword: Marginalisation, Cultivator, Agricultural labourer, Livelihood, Subsistence earning, Soura Women. Agriculture is the back bone of many developing countries. Women account for more than half of the work force by participating in different activities either directly or indirectly. The gender division of labour varies from one society and culture to another and within each culture external circumstances influence the level of activity (Nigist: 2004). Agriculture is an engine of economic growth and provides the basis for most livelihoods in developing countries (World Bank: 2007). Women are the unavoidable part of any development programmes whether it is for developed or developing country (Chauhan, J: 2015). Odisha is one of the poorest states in India, with an estimated 47% of its population living on less than a dollar a day (Haans & Dubey: 2003). A regional and social group-wise analysis of poverty in Odisha highlights the fact that the population in scheduled areas is comparatively much poorer than the population in non-scheduled areas, and that scheduled tribes are the poorest groups (Kumar Kundan: 2005). Odisha is primarily agrarian economy, its main workforce as primarily engaged are agriculture and its related activities. The ‘Sabaras’ are the fourth largest tribal community in Odisha, after Kondhs, Gonds a…