INDIGENOUS TECHNOLOGIES USED BY THE RURAL WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE FARMING

Abstract

The main focus of the present study was to identify the Indigenous Teclrn&ogies (ITs) being used by the rural women of 5 no. Sundaiiur union of district. Bangladesh and to determine the extent to which the identified ITs were being used by the rural women. The Kaharole upazila tinder Dinalpur study also explored the relationships between eight selected characteristics (independent vailables) of rural women with their extent of use of 11's in farming (dependent variable) activities. Data were collected froiii a sample of randomly selected tOO housewives (44 from Bhatgoan, 33 from Majhapara and 23 from Matgrain). A structured interview schedule was used during January 1 2008 to February 2. 2008 for collection of data. Twenty ITs were found to be used by the women in addition to scientific farming technologies for performing fanning activities. To measure the dependent variable a live- point rating scale was employed. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Co-cfficients were computed to examine the relationship between the concerned variables. As regards the extent of use of ITs by individual rural women showed that 30 percent of the rural women were high users, 45 percent moderate and 25 percent low users. Out of eight selected characteristics of the rural women annual income, farm size, extension contact and decision making were positively correlated while the level of education was negatively correlated. The other characteristics like age, family size and organizational pailicipatloil had no significant relationships with their extent of use of ITs in farming.