CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Back ground of the study Area

The condition of the Ethiopian women was, especially in rural areas appalling. They perform
laborious house hold tasks such as grain grinding, Fuel wood collecting, water fetching, etc. All
these activities consume much of their energies which could have otherwise spent in more
productive farming activities (WinRock-Internationa,EThiopia,2000).

There is ample evidence that most efforts towards increasing the Productivity of the peasant
sector and real income of rural producers have been accompanied by an intensification of labor
with in farmer house hold. This has primarily increased women’s extremely heavy domestic
burden typically involving several hours of a day fetching water and pounding grain among
other thing. It stands reason that very little can be achieved in terms of increasing rural women’
s labor productivity without taking in to account the exact modalities. In addition frequently of
tasks and gender related responsibilities determine the amount of time women involve is more
than men in routine and time consuming activities. Therefore, time availability is more
constraints for (Ilahi, N.2000).

Ethiopia is one of developing countries with high population growth rate. According to
medium variant projection of central statistical authority, the population size of the
country was estimated at about 76 million for year 2008(CSA, 2008). The population
growth of the country is among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa, with 2.7 percent per
annual projected for the year 2000-2005.If the current demographic trends continue; the
population of the Ethiopia will be more than 129million by the year 2030, (CSA, 1999).

Ilu woreda was found in Oromia region south west shoa zone. Women in this woreda also
affected by problem of access to agriculture such as lack of resource management, no pay or
less pay for their work.

Starting from 2004 in this woreda there is high motivation for agricultural development by
using irrigation on Awash rive. On this irrigation participation of women are increases by high
speed from time to time. There is Oromo population democracy Organization (OPDO) festival
reward women that participate on irrigation such as cabbage production, tomatoes production
and onion production, etc. Some priority is given to women as they are more vulnerable group
of poverty.

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 1.2. Statement of the problems

In the study area women support the subsistence farming by growing food crops for
family, bringing up children ,fetching water and collecting firewood ,doing all daily tasks which
keep the family going .But because of these tasks do not involve money ,they are not seen as
work and subsequently undervalued .until now women have less access than men to labor
saving technology and other productive resources women role remained un recognized
,undervalued and those women most of time in the hand of men for all things .

Generally they have less access to development resources. On decision making to buying or
selling animals most of the time decision have decided by men; payment for women and men
are not equal to labor work. If the development is conceived as economic growth without
improving the productivity of women the development would not be realized.

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 1.3 Objectives of the study

The general objective of the study is to access the role of women in agricultural development.

The specific objectives of the studies are:

 To examine the contribution of women in agricultural development.

 To study the factors that affect women’s participation in agricultural production

activities.

1.4 research Questions

What are the contributions of women in agricultural development?

What are the factors that affect women’s participation in agricultural production activities?

1.5 Significance of the study

The study is significant for some activities, such as it may useful base line information for
interested researchers who need future studies in the area.So far, women’s work has remained
unrecognized and undervalued .As a result; women have been ignored by development
planning though they have important roles and responsibilities in the development activities.

Women over worked as they are and they have often been left worse by past development
intervention .If the women participate in development of agriculture ,the productivity and
resources management can be increased than men .

1.6 Scope of the study.

The study was only confined to the Ilu woreda in term geographic area; especially those are
selected samples and peasant associations. The study emphasized on to examine the
contribution of women and to study the factors affect their participation in agricultural
activities.

1.7 Limitations of the study.

In the study area (woreda), especially, farmers in the selected peasant association are located
in remote area where the transportation and other means of communication. So it was difficult
to get require information and shortage of time was constraints of the study.
3
 CHAPTER .TWO

2. Review of literature

2.1 Definition of relevant terms

Development :It is more closely associated with some form of action or intervention to
influence the entire process of social change .It is dynamic concept ,which suggests a change in
,or a movement away from a previous situation .It is build up the people so that they can build
a future for themselves.

Agriculture: Is the art or science of cultivating the ground ,including the harvest of crops ,and
the rearing and management of livestock; tillage and husbandry farming .

Gender- role: It is a term used in social science and humanities to denote a set behavior norms
that accompany a given gendered status (also called a gendered identity) in a given social group
or system.

2.2 Women can play role in agricultural and development

Gender, which is socially constructed relations between men and women in Sierra
Leone is an organizing elements of existing farming systems and determining factor ongoing
agricultural development.

Current trends in agricultural development market liberalization and in the reorganization of

farm work, as well as the rise of environment and sustainability concerns are redefining the
links between gender and development .The proportion of women in agricultural production
and post harvest activities ranges from 20 to 70%; their involvement is increasing in our
country, particularly with development of mechanized farming, which is associated with a
growing demand for female labor. Whereas these dynamic have in some ways brought
benefits, in general, the largest proportion of rural women in Sierra Leone continues to face
deteriorating health and work conditions, limited access to education; insecure employment
and low income. (kargbo, A.2010)

2.3 Gender in equality perpetuates and deeper poverty.

Women own less than 2% of all lands and receive only 5% of extension services
worldwide .It is estimated that women in Africa received less than 10% of all credit going to
4
agricultural sector .The most extreme manifestation of gender inequality and the disregard of
women’s human right is the fact that at least 60 million girls are missing, mostly in Asia, due to
female infanticide or sex-selective abortions .Added to these are an estimated 5,000 women
murdered each year in “homour killing.”

Source -:IFAD (2003); Women as agents of change.

2.4 Women’s role in agriculture

A sociological survey of married rural women found that two thirds of them spent
average of six hours working outside the home .The other third spend seven to ten hours.
While much of this time is likely to be spent on the above agricultural tasks ,some also goes to
fuel and water collection ,particularly where sources are far from the home .in addition ,women
spend a considerable amount of time on work with in the home ,such as baking bread
,preparing meals and looking after children and the elderly like women everywhere ,they try to
combine house hold tasks and productive tasks .

Women’s limited control over agricultural resources is a barrier to their access to

production credit, equipment and resources. Male control of marketing further rein forces
women’s lack of control over income.

(IFAD-1999)

2.5 The global challenges ahead

The Monterrey consensus recognizes the need to “mainstream the gender

perspective into development policies at levels and in all sectors” in order “to strengthen the
effectiveness of the global economic system’s support for development”.

Source (IFAD 2003)

2.6 Role of women in production and House hold activities.

In Ethiopia, as in many African countries , women are the back bone of the food production
system. It is estimated that 65%of the total labor expended in family activities in Ethiopia is
contributed by women (TCE&UNICEF, 1993).

5
The task that involves women by virtue of their accepted role is providers of daily meals for the
family. The activities , includes grinding and pounding of the grain and other food staff drying
and storing of food , preparing the food for eating and fetching water and fire wood collecting.
The last activities alone can consume six to eight hours (6-8hrs) each day (UNICEF, 1989).

Women in all circumstances of class and marital status single, married, divorced or widows
participation in different agricultural activities. They play important roles in the performance of
agriculture. Women in developing countries work longer hours than men (David, 1991).

Furthermore, aggregate data indicated that African women provide about 90% of the labor for
food processing and providing house hold and fire wood 80% of the work food storage and
transport from farm village; 90%of the work in hoeing and weeding; 60%of the work in
harvesting and marketing; 60% of the work in domestic animal care; 5o%of the work in planting
and 30%of the work in ploughing (Davidson, 1995).

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 3. METHODOLOGY

3.1 Background of study area.

3.1.1 Location

Ilu woreda is one of the districts found in south west Shaw zone and located in the
regional state of Oromia. It is bounded with four warheads .These are namely, in Eastern bacho
woreda and in western Sabethawas woreda and in northern by dawo woreda and in southern
by Addis alum.

This district has a distance of 55km from Addis Ababa. According to administrative Ilu
warred is divided into 18 kebeles and two towns, which are namely, Teji and Asgori. (Bureaus of
administration of Ilu warred.)

3.1.2 Rain fall

The woreda receives plenty of RF every year .The type of rain fall in the area is short rainy
season which starts from march to April .This followed by long rainy season from June to
August and half of September .The annual coverage rain fall of the area is about 1200 mm.

3.1.3 Temperature.

The woreda receives various types of temperature in different seasons and in different
places. The minimum temperature of the study area is 140C.The maximum temperature is 290c
and the medium is 200c. (Agricultural center of Ilu woreda and Teji high school aviation station
in 2010).

3.1.4Agro-ecology

The woreda can be divided into three agro-ecological zones. Almost more of their land mid land
found between 1225ms above sea level. Its agro-climatic zones are grouped into three. The
percentage distribution weina dega is covering more percentage and dega and kola core very
few percent of Ilu woreda. (Bureau of agricultural center of Ilu woreda).

3.1.5 Farming system

The farming system is the major economic activities in the study area. (Bureau of
agricultural center and DA of the study area). When we say farming it includes cropping
7
(cropping production) and livestock rearing, and its system includes mixed farming systems, and
rotation systems. The major crops cereals that have grown in our warred are teff, until, wheat,
chickpeas, onions, tomatoes. The most cropping system in the area is rotation which means, for
example when this year on one land harvest or sow teff, coming year change to other.

The vegetable have grown in the area are carrots, red roots, cabbage, onion, garlic, etc. These
vegetables have grown using irrigating water resources.

The major livestock rears are cattle, sheep, goat, and poultry. None the less, crops and
livestock production are poor and gives less out puts. This due to lack of animals health, lack of
improved seed variety, traditional back ward methods of production, lack of infrastructures,
etc.

This district has one major river that is Awash or kalina by local language which are used for
irrigation or drainage purpose dry seasons. It can be uses for growing vegetables like cabbage,
onion, garlic, carrots, red roots, and someone potatoes.

3.1.6 Demography

The study area is common in having medium population when compare with other
warred in the south west shawa zone. (source: Administration of the warred stastistical
population data). This warred has a total population, the population of about 47148 current.
From this total population, the population or rural resident are 42336 out this total population,
female are 20837 and males are 21499. Total urban population is 4812. Out this urban
population 2570 is female and that of males are 2242. From total population female are 23407
and that of males are 23741.

Table: 1 shows the numbers of population of the study area.

Area of population sex Total

Urban Female Male

2570 2242 4812

Rural 20837 21499 42336

Total 23407 23741 47148

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 Source: central statistical of population (2004).

3.2 Data and data source

Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary sources were
information obtained from through interview and personal observations were made to collect
data. On the other hand, secondary sources were used for the secondary data were collected
from published and unpublished materials from the warred.

3.3 Sampling techniques

In Ilu woreda there are18 kebeles found. Among them 2 kebeles were selected and out of these
kebeles 38 respondents were selected through purposive sampling methods. 20 respondents
from one kebeles and 18 respondents from other kebeles because of not take equal number of
respondent from each group. It’s by proportion of kebeles population. This is because the time
of data collection was short and there was lack of financial support that the study could not
cover all the woreda. So, the samples were selected through simple random sampling method
to increase the reliability and accuracy of the data.

3.4 Methods of data collection

Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data was
obtained from farmers through interview and group discussions were made to collect data .On
the other hand, secondary data were collected from published and unpublished materials of
the woreda bureau of agricultural office, bureau of female affairs and bureau of education and
other research works internets, journals, different books and other materials.

3.5 Methods of data analysis

Qualitative and quantitative data were obtained from individual farmers or groups. The
collected data were organized by using different methods. Qualitative data were analysis
through discussion, interpretation, comparing different variables and other related methods.
Quantitative data were analysis by simple descriptive statistics like frequency diagram, table,
and percenta
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 CHAPTER FOUR

4. RESULLT AND DISCUSSION

This chapter present and discusses the results of the analysis that has been conducted to
address specific objectives of the research. The chapter is divided in to six major sections. The
first section of this chapter presents characteristics of sample farm households. It discussed
Household activities in the second section. In the third section it discussed about farm and off-
farm activities. Fourth section of this chapter Gender based division of labor.

In the fifth section Decision making in the household. Finally the sixth section presents the
burden works of women.

4.1Household characteristics

4.1.1 Age category and sex composition of respondents.

Age and sex are continues variables that were collected from respondents for population study.
As in group discussion in study area young girls’ are forced to marry at their early marriage is
the desire or need to maintain the family’s good name and social stand for men in particular
the success of their children is a measure of manhood and community status .Daughter’s
success rests in her ability to make a good marriage and linking of her family to other family.
The desire to get much money paid to the girl’s family by the boy’s family as a dowry. As in
group discussion in the study area that young girl between ages of 14-18 years was culturally
forced to be married. These forces exposed woman’s to face health problems; great obstacle
for their contribution to agricultural development and also obstacle for their school enrollment.
But now a day the government has adopted different strategies to eradicate early marriage
using different techniques.

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Table 2: Shows distribution of the respondents according to their age and sex.

No Age and sex frequency Percentage(%)

age sex

Male female

1 18-32 4 2 6 15.79

2 33-47 13 17 30 78.95

3 48-62 1 1 2 5.26

Total >62 18 20 38 100

The age groups of male between18-32 are participate on trading of cattle and that of female
are trading cops from market to market, majority (78.95%) of the respondents were in age
groups of 33-47 are participate on rearing cattle such as oxen, cow, etc. also almost age groups
48-62 participate on rearing cattle but not so much as age groups 33-47. Age groups above 62
are not so much participate directly by their force on agricultural works because they have no
enough force to do that activities, especially for women.

4.1.2 Marital status

Concerning the marital status of the respondents many of female and male were married. As
data were collected from study area in group discussion that marital status have advantages
and disadvantages for female and also for male .The advantages for female are encourage male
to go work field by preparing their food by time, providing food at field, help by labor that they
can do and also solving problem by discussing on it together and the disadvantages are if both
of them have no anything the result is divorced. Because they have no initial inputs to do any
works.

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 Table3: show marital status of the respondents.

NO Marital status frequency Percentage (%)

1 married 20 52.63

2 widowed 11 28.95

3 Single 3 7.89

4 divorced 4 10.52

Total 38 100

Source: Field survey (2010)

From the respondents female and male married 52.63%, the widowed 28.95% and the
remaining 7.89%were single and 10.52%were divorced.

4.1.3 Religions

Among culture religion is one. Nearly all religions recognize marriage to have views on
appropriate gender role with marriage. At marriage many rural people are married without
voluntary that is for fear of cultural taboos. Example, when husband died the wife was married
by her husband brother because to avoid male come to use by died person assets; to make
peace in the compound and growing children properly. All these ideas discussed by interview
elderly people in study area. But these cultures disadvantages more than their advantages such
as exposed to HIV/AIDS, disagreement in household, etc.

The regarding this about 60% of the population in the study area follow orthodox religion,
30%were Christian follower, 3%were Muslim and the remaining 7%were follow another
different religions.
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 Table4: Shows religions of respondents.

No Religions frequency

No %

1 Orthodox 23 60

2 Christian 11 30

3 Other religions 3 7

4 Muslim 1 3

Source: Field survey, 2010

4.1.4 Family size.

Table5: shows the family size of the respondents.

No Family size frequency Percentage (%)

1 1-4 15 39.5

2 5-9 19 50

3 >10 4 10.5

Total 38 100

Source: Field survey (2010)

The data with regard to family size of respondents, the maximum family size was consisted
14households while the minimum was consisted 2households and the average size in area was
consisted 8households.

From birth to death, women are subjected to control of men. Contributions of women in
agricultural development in terms of minimize family size is one contribution. Many time men

13
have no care about the family in house except on serious problems when the children cry for
anything whether for food, for clothes , for little health problems as he not saw pass over it.
Therefore, always women are chased out with their children. On control family size women
have high roles and also the advantages of standardize family size is important for women.
Example, If she has many children she cannot growth garden crops, clean her selves , her
children and environment, and she could not went markets as they wants to bought daily
necessity from market, she could not participated properly at agricultural work.

4.1.5 Educational status.

Concerning the educational status, the average number of starting schooling for female was
different .For the males were about seven years while it was eight for females, starting is not so
much problems for agricultural development the great problem is the girl students cannot
success in the education as boys. In generally, female have less access to formal education
when compared to male in the study area.

Table6: Show educational status of households of study area in percentage.

No Literacy level Male (%) Female (%)

1 Illiterate 30 55

2 Read and write 18 25

3 Grade1-4 30 15

4 Grade5-8 16 3

5 >8 6 2

Total 100 100

Source: Bureau of education.

Educational status showed that about 55% of the females were illiterate, about 15% had
primary (grade1-4) education while 3% attended 5-8 and 2% attended high school and above.
In contrasts, about 30% of males living in study area were illiterate, 18%attended literacy
classes, 30%had primary education while 16% attended grade 5-8 and 6% attended high school
and higher educational level.

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 Table7: Shows educational status of respondents in study area.

No Literacy status male female frequency

Illiterate No % No % No %

1 6 33.33 14 70 20 52.63

2 Grade1-4 8 44.44 5 25 13 34.21

4 Grade5-8 3 16.67 1 5 4 10.53

5 Complete high 1 5.56 - - 1 2.63

school

Total 18 100 20 100 38 100

Source: Field survey, 2010.

As shows from the above table data that were collected from respondents’ literacy status of
respondents are very poor, especially for women. Majority numbers of male respondents’
literacy status are in Grade

1-4 level (44.44) and majority of female respondents are illiterate level of literacy status (70%).
Both sexes are very poor about above complete high school and higher education status.

The reason for poor literacy stratus, especially, for girls in farmers’ area is that attitude to
improve their livelihood by use their education are very low. Among factors affecting women to
success in agriculture input such as labor, capital, land, and management are lack of education.
This data indicates that until now there are lacks of awareness about education.

4.1.6 Female Headed Household.

The major reasons behind the causes for females to be head of the household were the death
of husbands, divorce, war, and drought. If there is economic problem in household in most
study area a husband and/or the wife option for separation. When the husband died the wife
inherit the assets with their children.

15
Targeting women in isolation from men had some limitations. It is the overall structural factors
in society. That is the rules and practices in the household, community, school, and marketing
which affect women‘s to sustain systematic subordination from group works. This isolation to
be addressed understands and effectively changed. Hence, this deal with women in terms of
their gender relations.

As we discussed in group discussion, benefits of female headed household some times that she
use resources as she plan. Female have get many advantages when involve in planning made
for agricultural development because they can improve their ability to manage themselves
when she is become headed household. At headed household if both of them work together is
better.

Example:-she can improve budgeting, order of work activity to solve problems, etc. As in group
discussion in study area, the major factors affecting women in agricultural work is women have
lack of time management by her selves. This is because of women lack of awareness about
time management, specially at work that she do not participate on that work before this at any
jobs. Women exposed to management if she headed household. In all of the above cases the
death of the husband of was the major case in study area.

4.2 Household activities

Activities that have done by each house hold members have high contribution to achieve
agricultural development, especially in rural area women involvement is key issue in all
activities as data were collected from respondents.

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 Table 8: Show the participation of male and female in household activities and time
consume.

No Activities male female frequency

No % Time No % time No %

1 Wot making - - - 20 100 2hr/day 20 52.63

2 Enjera backing - - - 20 100 1hr/day 20 52.63

3 Grain grinding 3 16.67 2hr/2week 17 85 3hr/2week 20 52.63

4 Water fetching 3 16.67 45min/day 18 90 45min/day 21 55.26

5 Fire wood 1 5.56 1hr/day 19 95 3hr/day 20 52.63

collection

6 Washing clothes 4 22.22 1hr/day 18 90 2hr/day 22 57.89

7 Housecleaning 1 5.56 15mi/day 19 95 1/2hr/day 20 52.63

8 Cleaning barn 4 22.22 30min/day 18 90 1hr/day 22 57.89

9 Child care 1 5.56 No fixed 19 95 No fixed 20 52.63

Source: Field survey, 2010.

The above table shows data that were collected from respondents in study area about their
activities. Most of these activities were done by women in the study area enjera baking (100%)
were entirely women jobs while the other activities were shared between the two sex and still
most of activities were undertaken by women. From all of these activities fuel wood collection
consumed much of women time. It consumed three hours per day. Due to the fact that distance
travelled was too long and the frequency of finding is once a day or once in two days and they
do not took immediately as they arrived at wood or piece of leaves collection place. They were
collected by them from forest. Enjerabaking also consumed much of their time it consumed
about two hours per day because it is prepared and eaten daily. Enjera is eaten with wot which
it is also needs to be prepared daily, so wot cooking is also required time daily. Water fetching
also acquired frequently because the water conserved area was at the near distance to the
household and it takes half-hour per day for fetching. Grain grinding accrued mostly twice or
three times in two weeks by going to near grinding mill.

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Generally, in the study area the ranking order from highest to lowest time consumption works
as follows. Fuel wood finding , enjera baking, grain grinding, washing clothes, water fetching,
wot cooking and house cleaning and cleaning barn. Also child care consumed time but this one
has no limit time up to child growth.

4.3 Farm and off-farm activities.

In the study area farm activities which include land preparation, fertilizer spreading, ploughing,
sowing, weeding, harvesting, threshing, transporting, storage and marketing, stacking, deposit
compost.

In the study area most of these activities were performed by men but in many of these tasks
women also participated. Women were participated mostly during weeding, storing, deposit
compost, collect remain material from farm land at sowing time (floating), and also to making
surround that area. They also participate during harvesting and threshing by a less extent.
Men’s participate in all activities .In table below shows starting from land preparation up to
transporting or storing. Farmer when performed some of these activities, they worked by
‘Debo’ which means a labor shared system in which people call each other to perform together.

18
Table 9: show the participation of female and male in farm activities and average time
consume.

No activities male female frequency

no % time no % time no %

1 ploughing 18 100 8hr/day - - - 18 47.36

2 sowing 18 100 3hr - - - 18 47.36

3 transporting 11 61 4hr/day 8 40 5hr/day 19 50

4 floating 7 38.80 3hr/day 15 75 6hr/day 22 57.89

5 weeding 6 33.33 4hr/day 16 80 6hr/day 22 57.89

6 harvesting 14 77.78 10hr/day 10 50 3hr/day 24 63

7 threshing 15 83.33 11hr/day 7 35 1hr/day 22 57.89

8 storing 8 44.4 No fixed 15 75 No fixed 23 60.52

9 stack 17 94.4 11hr 2 10 1hr/day 19 50

10 compost 8 44.4 2hr/day 17 85 5hr/day 65.79

11 Land 15 83.33 3hr/day 2 10 1hr/day 17 44.74

preparation

Source: field survey, 2010

Women provide food and water during these working and collecting over lefted by products
from the field. The other activities like harvesting, weeding, threshing, storing and transporting
and land preparation, compost, and stack were shared by two sexes. Except threshing, fertilizer
spread or compost, harvesting or reap the above activities an average take one day for
completing these activities. The time spent on sowing and fertilizer or compost spreading, were
varies from person to person depending on their farm land.

Hence, there are classification of work for women and men. Division of these work was
not decided by rule and regulation, it have no penalty if both sexes work together all work
except afraid of cultural taboo and some work hard to women forces such as ploughing is hard

19
to women, and by culture assumptions when girls participate on sowing work the father of girls
loss man hood and the crops not growth well.

In the study area, development agent teaches men and women to avoid some bad
cultures which restrict the work based on sex and to increase the participation of women in all
activities.

In this area there is female extension agent worker that gives advice services to the farmers.

4.3.1 Crops production

The major crops grown in the study area are cereals crops which are mostly grown by men and
somewhat by women; it includes maize, teff, wheat, barley, chickpea, lentil, etc.

The factors affect women success by cereal production when compare with men, Women have
lack of awareness of time management, in case of this factors they could not do by appropriate
time such as, date of planting.

It has a marked influence on growth, development, and yield. Varies seed growing at varies
area was affected by: -soil moisture, and crop varieties. The amount of fertilizer for crop varies
from location to location and fertility of land has by their nature. Time and method of fertilizer
application depends on soil type, nature of fertilizer, and soil moisture. Weed control good crop
husbandry: Early weeding, seed selection (free from weed), and time of planting, seed rate, all
these are as we discussed in group discussion and key informant interview in study area.

Farmers under traditional condition produce 10 quintal per hectare without using any
mechanism, but with application of package of technologies they may got 15-30 quintal per
hectare.

Women have no full information or awareness about factors affecting cereal production in case
of these they could not produce these crops in good way and also another obstacle to them are
these crops work is by ploughing almost all of the time. Vegetables are mostly grown by women
includes tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, garlic, green paper, etc. the production of vegetables easy
to women in case of most of time these crops vegetables produce in as garden crops. It is not
require time to going at work place; most of their work by hand such as weed control by hand;
fertilizer application by hand (drilling row) they know their soil type whether fertility or not
because they know how much manure or compost drop on that place. Not only these two crops
but also they grow (produce) perennial crops such as chat which can be used for house hold
income generation.

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Table10. Show proportion of females and males in crop production.

no production female male frequency

No % No % No

1 Cereal crops 6 30 16 88.89 22

2 vegetables 17 85 6 30 23

3 Perennial 7 40 14 77.78 21
crops

Source: field survey, 2010

The above table shows that more perennial crops also grown by male as cereal crops.

DA can support women on participation any crop production by many side such as by provide
to them improved seed varieties advice them how to produce by using new technology and not
only DA also another institution such as BOARD.

4.3.2 Livestock production

Livestock is one of the components of the farming system in the study area. It is contribute to
subsistence requirements of the production. They rear for milk production. These milk and milk
production can be used for income production. This activity is mostly done by women. They
also rear small ruminant like sheep and goats for their livelihood and uses their waste product
as fertilizer for crop production. Most of cattle feeding and watering were done by men and
sometimes done by women. In study area as data were collected from respondent women has
no so much participates except on feeding and watering cattle for fattening. They have high
contribution on fattening cattle by keeping it from go far apart from village.

The activities of chicken production could be done by women, but in this case men have high
role like finding medicine when the poultry attacked by disease.

The farmers grew all of these productions for their wealth and income generation. All the
above activities are summarized in the table below.

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Table11: participation of female and male in livestock production

No activities Female (%) Male (%) frequency

No % No % No
1 Cattle feeding and watering 4 20 14 78 18
2 Small ruminant rearing 16 80 4 22 20
3 Milk and milk production 19 95 1 5.56 20
4 Chicken and its production 19 95 2 11 21
Source field survey, 2010

4.3.3. off farm activities

In the study area off -farm activities including alcohol sale, trading crops and cattle etc. The
common alcohol sale in this area as data were collected from respondents indicates arake, tela,
juice that was made from the same input with arake but their process is not long as arake
production it called chunfa in local language.

Arake: for do this work women require some input and also they exposed to disease if they not
protect themselves properly. Among alcohol sale in rural area arake was expensive more than
other alcohol. Therefore, a rural woman made arake more than other alcohols. Tela is no so
much hard as arake for sale and making .Its price is not expensive. Chunfa have been making at
summer season because women could not making arake at this season.

Arake making require time and budget more than tela and chunfa because at this work they
cannot work than other thing on outside incase of its effect their health such as it exposed for
eye disease. It require high amount of input because it cannot produce by very few residue in
pot. This residue is not use for person drink it uses only for animal drink.

Trading crops: women trade any crops from one market to any other market to get profit from
price increase from one market to other market. The following crops such as teff, vetch,
chickpea, lentil etc. many time women trade crop by buying from local rural small market and
sale on beam balance or sale by small dish at market. By this process they have got profit
because

At local market they have bought by big dish than that sold at town market if they sold lot
market and also the some at beam balance.
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In study area there is flexibility of crop price from time to time in case of far from urban area.
Rural people have not got new information about price of crop at urban market and incase of
distance from urban by itself somewhat affect crop price to down ward.

Women are using traditional credit (equip) to save the profit gets from the trade of crops and
also from alcohol sale use this saving method. Finally by collecting profits to start any other
jobs.

There are many problem encountered women at trade time, especially at summer season the
road is become mud at this time it is very difficult to go urban by carrying crops on donkeys.

Table12: Shows participation of female and male in off-farm activities

No female Male frequency

No % time No % time No %
1 Arake 18 90 6hr/day - - - 18 47.37
2 Tele 15 75 3hr/day - - - 15 39.47
3 Juice(chunfa) 9 50 2hr/day - - - 9 23.68
4 Trade crop 15 75 6hr/day 4 22.22 4hr/day 19 50

4.4. Gender based division of labor (GDOL).

In the study to record women and men play different roles. Gender roles differ from the
biological roles of men and women, although they overlap in nearly all respondents. They
demonstrate responsibilities between men and women in access to resources and decision
making authority in social and economic activities. These gender differentiated roles are more
over shaped by cultural determinants. In this way their roles can generally be categorized into
three.

Table13: Shows proportion of GDOL of female and male percentage.

No activity Female (%) Male (%)

1 reproduction 92 8

2 production 12 88

3 community 90 10

4 management

Source: Bureau of female affairs

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 Women are entirely responsive for reproductive activities roles are biological reproduction,
labor reproduction and social reproduction. Biological reproduction comprises children birth
and lactation while labor reproduction involves the daily regeneration of labor force though
cooking, cleaning house, washing clothes, nursing and so on. In most society reproductive role
mostly tend to fall up on the shoulder of women. Since they work to transfer from goods and
services for household uses and welfare to see whether the agricultural productivity.

The major productive role in the study area is done by both women and man. Yet the role is
mainly considered to be men’s role and even if women under take the role is mostly
unrecognized. Example: farming activities, wage workers.

Community management works in the study area are done entirely by women. These activities
include voluntary unpaid work, under taken in “free and volunteer time”. It is important for
spiritual and cultural development of the communities and cost vehicle for community
organization and self determination. Mostly in the tripe role women is not recognized. The
productive work is considered as work while reproductive and community activities are not.
These two are seen as natural and non productive. It is one of factors affecting women in
agricultural production. Majority of work done by women becomes invisible and not properly
understanding contribution of women which rise from their different role that they play in the
society. Women are made responsible for time consuming and not economically rewarding
activities of maintaining the labor forces. As in group discussion and from Bureau of female
affairs in study area women in household while men predominate in the public sphere
performing activities that are rewarding.

4.5 Decision making in the household.

Men and women of the study area do not have equal sharing power regarding decision making
in the household and at community level. In some cases, decision making power is closely
related as associated with the pattern of the gender division of labor. For example, women
have decisive power when it comes to processing of food , cooking wot, fetching water,
collecting fire wood, and marketing for daily necessities like buying oil, onion, salt, etc.

On the other hand, they do not have equal position on agricultural activities despite their
contribution at every stage of cropping cycle, Fattening animals, rearing cattle and small
ruminant. In the case where decisions cannot be regarded through consensus, the husband has
the final stay to decision .But in the FHH; the decisions are made by her.

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In most parts of this area the opinion of the husband has weight more than the opinion of wife.
The bigger value of item more the men decided on it. Concerning sale of livestock, men
dominate the decision to buy or sale of animals such as cows, oxen, sheep, goats and others
milk and milk products are totally decided by women.

Men have highest decision making power on what, how much and when the grains should be
sold and stored. Decision on agricultural inputs like buying improved seeds, fertilizers and
pesticides are done by male. The women do not have much power regarding these activities.

In farming operation husband is decisive. For example, most of the decisions by husband on
cropping calendar what seed varieties for which land is choice. This choice is based on their
purpose and for what they want that crops. Most of time men decided on crops that use for
markets at high cost while women choices crops that are use for consumption as food. In FHH,
the decision for all things was made by women, but if she has adult child consulted with he/she.

Table14: shows participation of female and male in decision making.

No Decision male female frequency

No % No % No %
1 Processing of food 1 5.56 19 95 20 52.63
2 Marketing daily for 2 11 19 95 21 55.26
necessities
3 Sale of livestock 16 88.89 2 10 18 47.37
4 Sale of livestock products 1 5.56 18 90 19 50
5 Grain sale and store 17 94.44 3 15 20 52.63
6 Buying agricultural in puts 16 88.89 5 25 21 55.26
7 Farming operation 17 94.44 2 10 19 50
Source: Field survey, 2010.

4.6 Burden of women in works.

Women in the study area are engaged in different activities. Off-farming activities burden of
women in works such as exposed to eye disease, TB, etc and by trading side at carried crops
from home to market travelling and also social affairs , marketing activities of agricultural
production, indirectly providing food and water to people involved in agricultural activities and
in household activities.

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 Table15: It in the proportion of women load works and men

No Activities Female Male

1 household 95 5
2 Farming 40 60
3 Off-farming 90 10
4 Social affairs 80 20
5 Marketing 60 40
6 Providing food at field 96 4
Source: Bureau of female affairs (2008).

Generally, women are reproductive, productive and community management activities made
tiresome and exhausted during their life.

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 CHAPTER FIVE

CUNCULUSION AND RECOMMENDETION

5.1 CONCULUSION

In the study area, women participated on household activities and many other agricultural
activities. The household activities, which are performed by women daily, are enjera baking,
wot cooking, water fetching and house cleaning, child care and fire wood collection.
Agricultural activities on which the women participate mostly are in weeding, storing, deposit
compost, floating (collecting remain material from farm land at sowing time), participate on
harvesting by providing food and water at field. They have high contribution on crops
production especially on vegetables, and garden crops production .But at these production time
women affected by any factory such as lack of time management, lack of awareness to new
technology, etc. On off-farm activities women participate more than men in the study area.
They are entirely responsive for reproductive and community management activities. But for
these works not look as works, they see as responsible given work as by nature for women.
They also participate in productive work. They do not totally participate on ploughing and in
sowing because of cultural taboos.

The decision making on agricultural production, they do not have equals rights on it. The
decision on sale of grains are bounded at vegetable, garden crops, and from live stocks are
small ruminants, chickens, and also marketing for daily necessities decided by women and also
some times by men. All other, decision almost decided by men.

Factors affecting women in agricultural production are exist in different ways such as no
support their moral on work, they do not get chance to participate on making planning for
anything. Payment at employment not equal with men at the same work because of the
attitude toward women could not have ability to work equal with men, especially at force work.
But without women participate there is no development.

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 5.2 RECOMMENDETION

The women’s work should be recognized as cash values, respect women equality in any work.
Women should be participating in all agricultural activities because they have high contribution
in all works. Therefore, to success in their participation support women by all side whether
moral or economical; give positive attitude for their participation.

Technologies that can reduce the time and energy should be introduced and developed to
women. By improved this technology women would have get chance to participate in all
agricultural activities. The mainly obstacle for women participation and contribution to
agricultural development in study area is cultural taboos. Therefore, to reduce this culture
anybody should be participating on the women issue not only in farmer’s area to aware
women; NGO and GO works also has high contribution to research.

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.Davidson (1995).

.IFAD,(1999).Office of Evaluation and studies .Syria Arab Republic Southern Agricultural

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World Wide Web:

http://www.agrisk unm. Edu/wia/

.____,(2003a) Gender in equality perpetuates and deepens poverty. Retrieved July 10, 2010

from world wide web: http://www.fao.org/doc rep.

.____,(___b) The global challenges Ahead, The World Women.

.ILahi, N.(2000) The intra house hold allocation of time task what we learnt empirical literature

policy research report on GAD working paper number 13.

.Kargbo, A.(2010).Women can play role in agricultural and development. Retrieved July 5, 2010

from the world wide web: http://www.Laovoies.com women-to-play-larger-role-in

agricultural-development.

.TCE and UNICEF, (1993). Gender Disparity in Agriculture.

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