An Overview into the Activities of Women Extension Wing in Agricultural Development of District Muzaffarabad-AJ&K

Abstract

Women Extension wing is a sole department which provides a platform for the women extension workers to interact directly with the female farmers. The present study was conducted in 2011 to overview the activities of women extension wing in district Muzaffarabad-AJ & K. For this study all the female extension staff was interviewed, including 16 Lady Extension Assistants and 4 Lady Extension Officers. Multistage sampling was used to select the required sample, 67 female farmers were randomly selected from the three selected villages. A pre-tested questionnaire and interview schedule was used for data collection. Female extension staff was satisfied from the extension department activities; they faced problems of communication and lack of cooperation. On the other hand, it was found that majority (46%) of female farmers was illiterate but had several year experiences which were helpful to them in applying the knowledge given by the extension workers practically. It was observed that 100% female farmers knew female extension staff both by name and face, and also satisfied from their activities. Majority (96%) were owner-cultivators as they grow vegetables and crops on their lands. About 58% of the female respondents had >5000 rupees monthly increase in income because of their participation in agricultural activities. They faced problems; lack of education, awareness and financial problems while participating in agricultural development. It is concluded that majority of the female extension staff and female farmers were satisfied from activities of women extension wing. Also, women extension wing is carrying out activities which are beneficial to female farmers. By using Chi-square test it is cleared that there is a non-significant association between the farming experience and the satisfaction from extension wing activities. It was recommended that female extension workers should be in regular contact with the female farmer, and number of trainings for both the farmers and staff should be increased by the Extension department. Also, audio-visual aids should be used for educating farmers.

Keywords; Women; Extension wing; Agricultural Development