Women’s Participation and the Level of difficulty in Agricultural Activities: “Unveiling the Struggles”

This study investigates the participation and drudgery of women in agricultural
activities in rural areas, with a focus on the socio-economic characteristics, the
extent of their involvement, and the level of difficulty they face in various farming
tasks. Conducted in the Mandihal village of Dharwad district, Karnataka, the
research examines the labor-intensive nature of agricultural work and highlights the
disparity between men’s and women’s roles in farm activities. The data revealed
that, women were heavily involved in tasks such as weeding, sowing, transplanting,
and harvesting, which require significant time and physical effort. The study also
measures the drudgery index, a tool to assess the labor intensity and difficulty of
these activities. The findings showed that, activities such as weeding and
transplanting are particularly strenuous, with women reporting high levels of physical
exhaustion. Despite their substantial contribution, women’s agricultural roles are
often undervalued, and they face numerous challenges due to unequal access to
resources, technology, and decision-making power. This study underscores the need
for policies and interventions that address the gendered nature of agricultural labor,
aiming to reduce the physical burden on women while promoting their participation
and empowerment in the sector.