Abstract:
In the male dominated society women are in a disadvantageous position in Bangladesh.
The total development hampers if the livelihood status of women is not be increased or
remained as low as it nowadays. The objectives of the study were, therefore, to select and
describe a set of important characteristics (or indicators) of women farmers that are
collectively represent their livelihood security, to assess the livelihood security status and
to determine key factors of improving livelihood security of women farmers. The
livelihood security of women farmers was assessed by developing a composite livelihood
security index (CLSI) consisting of 3 dimensions: social, economic and institutional.
Indicators were selected by reviewing literature. Data were collected from six CIGs
(Common Interest Groups) having 120 women farmers of six villages from three unions
of Baraigram upazila under Natore district. The results revealed that about 64 percent of
the respondents were able to secure their livelihood. Multiple regression analysis shows
that the important contributing factors were education (0.672), health and sanitation
(0.196), food availability (0.166) and institutional functions (0.155). The study concludes
that the process of facilitating learning (e.g. formal education) is crucial for improving
the livelihood security of women farmers. The study recommends livelihood security of
women farmers can be enhanced by enhancing education, investing in health facilities
and sanitation, achieving food security and increasing capacities of the local institutions
like Union Parishad.
Description:
A thesis
Submitted to the Department of Agricultural Extension and Information System
Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN
AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION & INFORMATION SYSTEM
