Production and Labor:
- Farming: Women are involved in all aspects of farming, including land preparation, planting, weeding, harvesting, and post-harvest handling.
- Livestock management: Women play a crucial role in animal husbandry, caring for cattle, goats, sheep, and poultry, as well as producing dairy products and eggs.
- Agroforestry: Women participate in planting and managing trees and shrubs for food, fuel, and environmental conservation.
- Fishing: Women are involved in fishing in coastal and inland areas, contributing to household food security and income.
Processing and Value Addition:
- Food processing: Women process agricultural products into value-added goods, such as flour, oil, and dairy products.
- Textile production: Women are engaged in cotton cultivation and weaving, producing textiles for clothing and household use.
- Brick and tile making: Women use agricultural byproducts, such as clay and straw, to produce bricks and tiles for construction.
Marketing and Distribution:
- Local markets: Women sell farm produce in local markets, often as petty traders.
- Cooperatives and farmer groups: Women organize themselves into cooperatives and farmer groups to increase their bargaining power and access to markets.
- Small-scale businesses: Women establish small-scale businesses related to agriculture, such as livestock breeding, seed multiplication, and agro-processing.
Education and Extension:
- Agricultural training: Women participate in agricultural training programs to improve their knowledge and skills in farming practices.
- Extension services: Women work as extension officers, providing farmers with information and support on agricultural technologies and best practices.
Policy and Advocacy:
- Government committees: Women participate in government committees and policy-making processes related to agriculture.
- Civil society organizations: Women are actively involved in civil society organizations that advocate for women's rights in agriculture.
Other Roles:
- Caregiving: Women often balance agricultural work with domestic responsibilities, including caring for children and the elderly.
- Water resource management: Women play a key role in managing water resources for agricultural purposes, such as irrigation and rainwater harvesting.
- Traditional knowledge: Women possess and share traditional agricultural knowledge and practices, which are valuable for sustainable farming systems.