ABSTRACT
Of late, the question of women in agriculture has been widely researched and discussed at all levels (regional, national and international) and by all concerned (academics, administrations, politicians, social workers et cetera). Agriculture in India is in a serious crisis. The fact that it has failed to meet the primary purpose of ensuring food security to a large number of those who work in agriculture validates this. The primary producer is often confronted with food insecurity and abysmal living conditions. Women participate in most farm-related activities, from land preparation and sowing to harvesting and occasionally, marketing. The nature and extent of their involvement depends on factors like land ownership, family-specific labour use patterns, the existing agro-production system and their caste, class and religion. Generally, women participate more in field-based activities like seed cleaning and sowing, weeding and harvesting. The on-farm role of women can vary from landless wage workers to managers.
