GENDER ROLE IN POST HARVEST ACTIVITIES: A STUDY IN ASSAM

The purpose of the study is to recognize the gender role in post harvest activities in rural areas of Assam.The study conducted on 900 farm families in six agro-climatic zones of the State which clearly indicate an active participation of both women and men in most of the selected activities in the area of post harvesting. Data were collected with the help of interview schedule by personal interview method. Participatory interviews with individual member of the households by using a combination of PRA techniques to quantify gender perspectives were used for data collection. The results indicated that majority of the rural women were working with male members almost in all the activities leaving aside marketing and management of produce at commercial level. . The role of rural women in post harvest operations especially in drying, storage and cleaning of grains was more prominent. It necessary to transfer of technical knowhow on these aspects to women, the technical guidance would help in enhancement of their efficiency and reduced the losses during storage. Such education would lead to increase their income and active role in post harvest activities An effort has been made in this study to understand the gender role in post harvest operation in Assam so as to know their present participation status. The data will enable for area based programmes to develop capacities of farm women.