THE ROLE OF MEN AND WOMEN IN DAIRY RELATED DECISION MAKING: A VILLAGE LEVEL STUDY

Abstract

A study was conducted in 100 dairying households to assess the extent of involvement of men and women in various dairy related decision making in a village in Kerala. It was revealed that in the case of selection, housing, breeding and treatment men had significantly higher involvement in decision making. In aspects such as feeding and milking, though women had higher involvement, the difference was not statistically significant. Since women perform most of the physical works in dairying, their inability to take part in decision making in the vital aspects of dairying might be one factor responsible for the low productivity of the dairy sector in the State.