Participation of farm women in decision making a case study of sonipat district of haryana, India

The paper mainly tries to assess the decision making power of rural women in their economic life. Objective of the study is two folds- first to analyze the pattern of decision making in each of the 13 identified areas and second to find out the factors affecting decision making power of women.150 women respondents were investigated to know the level of farm women participation in Agricultural decision-making in the rural areas of Sonipat district of Haryana state. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaire and interview schedule. Regression and observational analysis has been done to achieve the objectives. Results showed that for majority of the households joint decision making prevails for 7 out of 13 decision making areas. Land related decisions, decisions regarding purchase/ sale and selection of animals and household financing decisions are taken jointly by both husband and wife in majority of households. Female decision making is restricted mainly to livestock management. Arrangement of fodder and consumption/sale of milk are the decisions where female have a key role in decision making in majority of households. Hence females are able to take decisions in areas that are part of their household chores. Their role in decision making regarding economic and agricultural activities is negligible. Regression and observational analysis reveal that livestock, size of landholding, age and literacy of woman, nuclear family type and caste are the factors affecting decision making of woman.