Effects of Dairy Farming on the Quality of Life and Empowerment of Rural Women: A Socio-Economic Analysis

The quality of life of rural women is shaped by various economic, social psychological factors, with dairy farming emerging as a crucial livelihood activity that contributes to their overall well-being. This study examines the impact of dairy farming on the quality of life of rural women, focusing on economic independence, social empowerment work-related challenges. The key objectives include assessing the relationship between age, income, dairy farming experience quality of life, as well as identifying challenges such as workload imbalances, limited healthcare access dependency on middlemen for livestock purchases. A stratified random sampling method was used to select respondents from cooperative members, NGO beneficiaries individual dairy farmers. Data was collected using structured interviews and surveys to gain a comprehensive understanding of the socio-economic and demographic factors affecting rural women engaged in dairy farming. Findings reveal that younger women reported a higher quality of life than older women, who faced health and financial challenges. Dairy farming significantly enhances economic independence, nutrition social status, with women engaged in dairy activities showing better quality of life scores compared to non-dairy farmers. However, persisting issues such as delayed payments, inadequate veterinary services lack of fodder cultivation act as barriers to maximizing the benefits of dairy farming. Initiatives such as financial literacy programs, improved market linkages gender sensitization workshops could enhance rural women's economic security. The study emphasizes the need for holistic policy measures and institutional support to further improve their well-being.