PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE ACTIVITIES IN DISTRICT PESHAWAR

This study was conducted to investigate the role of women in agriculture activities in district Peshawar during 2004-05. An interview schedule was used to collect data from a random sample of 80 respondents. Most of the farmers in research area were small landholders ranging between 2 to 4 acres. Women of study area show active participation in agriculture activities. They spent more time on post-harvest activities then those pre-harvest activities. For example the study shows that pre harvest activities accounted for wheat, sugarcane and maize 38.72, 22.25 and 14.4 hours, respectively. The study also reveals that post harvest activities accounted for wheat, sugarcane and maize 121.55, 66.37 and 34 hours, respectively per acre for the crops for one season. The average daily time spent on livestock management activities was 6.23 hours. Total income of family, number of adult males in the household and educational level showed negative but significant effect on women’s participation in crop production. However, the age and tenurial status of respondents had significant effect but positive relationship to women participation. Lake of training, extension services, cultural constraints and financial problems emerged as main problems encountered by women engaged in agriculture activities. These were the major causes of dissatisfaction among women involved in agriculture activities.