Empowering Women in Livestock Farming: Socio-Economic and Cultural Determinants from Rural East Java

This study explores the determinants of women’s empowerment among livestock farmers in East Java, Indonesia, focusing on dairy and beef cattle farming communities. Women are central to livestock production, yet their ability to make decisions and control resources is often constrained by socio-economic and cultural factors. Understanding these determinants is essential for developing effective, gender-sensitive rural development strategies. Data were obtained from a survey of livestock farmers using structured interviews. Women’s empowerment was measured through a composite index that reflects decision-making roles, control over household and farm resources, and involvement in community activities. The Tobit regression model was employed to assess the influence of socio-economic, institutional, and cultural variables on empowerment levels. Findings indicate that education, asset ownership, personal savings, farmer group membership, active participation in social activities, and supportive cultural perceptions toward women’s participation in public sectors are all positively associated with women’s empowerment. In contrast, engagement in off-farm work and participation in agricultural extension activities show negative relationships, suggesting possible conflicts with women’s time availability or the relevance of extension programs to their needs. Other factors, including farming experience, land size, subsidies, access to credit, ownership of vehicles or agricultural machinery, and distance to farmland, do not appear to have a significant impact. The study implies that strengthening women’s empowerment in livestock farming requires integrated approaches that expand access to education, promote asset and savings accumulation, and build strong social networks through farmer groups and community participation.