ECONOMIC STATUS OF WOMEN LABORERS ENGAGED IN PADDY TRANSPLANTING ACTIVITY IN ALLAHABAD REGION OF UTTAR PRADESH

Women contribute 50-60% of labour in farm production in India. There is evidence to suggest that if agriculture were focused on women, outputs could increase by as much as 10-20%, the ecological balance could be restored, and food security of communities improved. India has a predominantly agrarian economy. The 70% of her population is rural; of those households, 60% engage in agriculture as their main source of income. It has always been India's most important economic sector. In this important agricultural sector woman plays a vital role, because it is largely a household enterprise Kavya Dashora (2010). The objective of the study was to study the demographic profile and economic status of women labourers engaged in paddy transplanting activity. Fifty one women labourers were selected for the study. They were aged between 20-60 years. A set of Interview schedule was design to measure their economical status of women labourers. Total 76.5 percent women labourers were illiterate, 15.7 percent women labourers were educated primary school, 1.9 percent women abourers were Junior High School and 5.9 percent women labourers were High School. 31.4 percent women abourerswere having family income falling under Rs. 3000-6000/-, 25.5 percent women labourers were having family income falling under Rs. 6000-9000/-, 21.6 percent women labourers family income was falling under Rs. 9000-12000/-, and 15.7 percent women labourers family income was falling under Rs. 12000-14000/-, a very minimul ie. 5.9 percent women labours’ family income was falling under Rs. 14000-18000/-. Approximately 55 percent women abourers’ main occupation was Agriculture, 21.6 percent women labourers occupation was labour and 11.8 percent women labourers main occupation was Agricultural labourers, whereas 7.8 percent women labourers occupation was Animal Husbandry and a very minimul 1.9 percent women labourers were in Service and Business. Thus the women abourers economical condition was very critical. The study has suggested that a multi- sectoral integrated programme for promoting agricultural activities in the rural areas according to their existing conditions, available resources and with the help of nearby institutions should be started to meet the challenge of sustainable development in the Allahabad Region of Uttar Pradesh.