SIGNIFICANT ROLE OF WOMEN IN GROWING LIVESTOCK FARMING

Pashu Sandesh, 25th April 2020

BINITA KUMARI SINGH

INTRODUCTION

Livestock is the most important sector in the economy of India. It is the main source of income for rural families especially. Generally, the role of women in rural livestock can never be ignored. Women are considered as the goddess in the Indian society from the ancient time and they are called so as they are very important to the society in each and every sector and as they are working and getting success in every field of the world. One such sector is the livestock farming sector in which women are playing a major role and if it is taken more seriously it can be one of the biggest profitable business for the society. Women take care of feeding the livestock, cleaning the abodes and even in providing traditional cure from diseases. They are further involved in milking and milk processing, poultry, and egg selling. They have the potential to change their own economic status along with changing the status of the communities and countries. Nowadays, they are gaining a lot of prestige and honour by working in their home along with doing their job. They can do a lot of works which could be beneficial for the livestock sector as well as for them also.

DEMAND OF LIVESTOCK

The demand for livestock-based products is increasing in India tremendously because of rising income, population growth and urbanization. The livestock sector is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the agricultural economy. Livestock is a significant productive asset in the rural sector with high expected returns. The livestock sector has been undergoing changes at an unprecedented pace over the past few decades. Booming demand in the world’s most rapid growing economics for food derived from animals has led to a large increase in livestock production, supported by major technological innovations and structural changes in the sector. The growth and transformation of the sector offer opportunities for agricultural development, poverty reduction and food security gains.

RELATION BETWEEN WOMEN AND LIVESTOCK

The most important thing is to make people aware of the importance of growing livestock sector and the role of women in making it happen. A woman is economically empowered when she has both the capacity to succeed and proceed economically and the power to make and act on economic decision-making which will contribute in the way of making her empowered. Women comprise half of the rural population.

THE ASSETS REQUIRED BY WOMEN FOR GROWTH OF LIVESTOCK SECTOR

Livestock sector offers tremendous opportunities for improving household income through women’s participation.  But the livestock sector needs stronger institutional support for more credit and upgrading women’s livestock farming skills. The women have suffered because their role in the rural economy has never been fully appreciated. Times devoted by women in livestock are 3-5 hours a day. Women take responsibility for cutting fodder, cleaning sheds, taking care of the animals etc. We should think about the works which can be done by women in the livestock sector. We have to make them aware of the profits which can be made by working in the livestock sector. 

DIFFERENT  IDEAS TO EMPOWER RURAL WOMEN

No doubt the role of women is very high in the livestock sector but there are some countries like India where people are still not aware of the profits which we can be made by making their women work in the sector. For doing so there are many ways. One such way is we can make a group of organization of women and teach them which will provide advocacy, awareness-raising, information, knowledge, guidance and technical support to help produce high-quality animal products safely, efficiently and responsibly, while improving their people livelihood and meeting citizens’ demands to other women of the country. 

Following ideas can be given to take advantage of the opportunities to empower rural women –

1. Women should be given training in livestock sector so that they can do smart work along with hard work.
2. Women should be given the right to use to financial, extension services, new technologies and markets so that their potential can be optimized.
3. The government should introduce some policies in favour of women so that they can get sufficient access and permission for working.
4. Proper education is very important. She should be aware of the growing opportunities and the profits of the livestock sector of India to become a worker or entrepreneur in the sector.
5. Women should be incorporated in the overall development process and should be given right to make their own decision making as they are better decision-makers than the men.
6. The most important thing is they should get respect for what they are doing and should be appreciated and supported by their families as well as by society.  

KEY BENEFITS TO WOMEN

Women play an important role in livestock management, processing and marketing, acting as care providers, feed gathers and birth attendants. They are also involved in milk production. It will help in promoting women’s economic and social empowerment.

OTHER BENEFITS FOR WOMEN

1. Decision making and empowerment: Livestock ownership is increasing women’s decision making and economic power within the household and the community.
2. Household welfare: The management, processing and marketing of livestock products generate more income than most of the activities women tend to be involved in and bring benefit for the whole family.
3. Income generation: Animals provide raw material such as wool, hides and bones used by women to make clothes, or as fuel for home consumption and for sale.
4. Self-esteem: Owning, controlling and benefiting the livestock production increases women’s self-esteem and strengthens their role as producers and income generators within the household and in the community.
5. Access to credit: Livestock ownership increases the likelihood of gaining access to credit.

CONCLUSION

Women are the engine driving the growth in the community economy, so they should get the chance to do their work and live happily.  Women can do any kind of work whether it is a fieldwork or an office work. Livestock can provide them with money as well as respect, we all just need is to take a step towards it. There is a need to correct gender unfairness in the livestock sector.

BINITA KUMARI SINGH

3^rd Year Student, B.V.Sc. & A.H.,

Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University,

Joyhing, North Lakhimpur-787051, Assam, India.

Email ID: singhbinita50@gmail.com