Study on the agricultural activities of Santal women along the Barind tract of Bangladesh

Abstract The study was carried out to explore the different agricultural activities of the Santal women and their pattern of satisfaction and dissatisfaction, being involved in the job. It was undertaken in Rajshahi, which infact represents the greater area of Barind tract of Bangladesh. A sample of 120 Santal women engaged in different agricultural activities were selected by using random sampling method. The study revealed that the common agricultural activities were paddy cultivation, post-harvest operations, livestock rearing, poultry raising, maintenance of mulberry trees and tree plantation. The economic independence, freedom of work and condition of the working environment were the major factors, causing satisfaction to the Santal women. The main factors contributing to the dissatisfaction were the non-availability of permanent work throughout the year (seasonal work) low salary than the male labourer and more work less pay and lack of time for rest.