ABSTRACT
Male family members in Bangladesh rural communities dominate the farm decision-making process. Females are increasingly playing more prominent roles in the decision-making process to gain better livelihoods in wider farming systems. Many NGOs (non-governmental organisations), including Grameen Bank, have encouraged and empowered women to accept their role and status in the family decision-making process. Most agricultural research and development schemes ignore the role of women, though half of the total population of the country are women. A study analysing the performance of farm businesses under four alternative farming systems (Crop-Cattle-Poultry-Fish, Crop-Cattle-Poultry, Crop-Cattle and Crop-Poultry), in four selected villages in the Gazipur district, indicated a combined effort of both males and females in every farming system. Male members were involved mostly in crop and fish culture, whereas women played a more significant role in cattle and poultry management. Also, the intense involvement of females in household activities indirectly helped the male members to engage more effectively in other day-to-day family and community activities. Appropriate recognition of the contribution of both genders to the family decision-making process will bring better performance and improve the peasants' livelihood.
