ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF FEMALE AGRICULTURAL LABOUR PARTICIPATION IN ODISHA

In developing countries like India, agriculture remains a primary source of employment, absorbing a sizable percentage of women. However, their efforts are often overlooked. In rural Odisha, women actively participate in pre-harvest and post-harvest activities, contributing a substantial part of labour required in agriculture and related activities. 61.8% of the total workforce is engaged in agriculture, and a large proportion of women in Odisha (57.8%) is employed as agricultural labourers as per the latest census. Apart from overseeing domestic duties, these women augment household earnings. This paper analyses the contribution of women in Odisha’s agriculture with an emphasis on their role in agro-processing, livestock management and crop production. The study, based on secondary data spanning the last decade, enquires into the contribution made by women to agriculture in rural Odisha, a state heavily reliant on agriculture for its economic activity. Despite significant advancements in various sectors, agriculture remains the dominant employer, especially for rural women. The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for females aged 15 years and above in the usual status has shown an increasing trend. The study further finds that although women’s involvement in agriculture has continued to be a significant source of income, gender differences are reflected so far as women’s role as workers is concerned, including their wages and working conditions. The paper suggests policy measures to improve gender-sensitive roles in agriculture that promote women’s economic autonomy and the formalization of farm work, along with enhancing access to land, technology, and financial resources for female farmers. The findings suggest that improving labour conditions and creating more sustainable agricultural practices can significantly boost female labour participation in the sector. KEYWORDS: - Agriculture, Female labour, Participation, Rural Women, Regression