Analysis of Family-Women Participation in Agricultural Production in Valikamam Area, Jaffna District, Sri Lanka

Abstract

This study focused analysis of women participation in agricultural production in Valikamam area of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Both economic and non economic factors are responsible for women participation. In this context the present study has been conducted to assess the women participation in agricultural production as a family-women involvement in agricultural activities. It examines the influence of selected socio-economic characteristic of family- women that affect their motivation and participation in agricultural production. A random as well as purposive sampling method was used to select respondents for this study. Total sample size was 185, which is representing the women participation in agricultural production in the Valikam area, Jaffna district. The research was carried out with the use of well structured questionnaire to obtain the necessary data. The compiled data were analyzed within the probit model and descriptive statistics. The empirical results revealed that woman age coefficient shows negative and significant at p<0.05 level, marginal effect increase from its mean value the probability for the women involvement in agricultural production will decreased by 0.73774%. Educational level coefficient shows positive sign and significant at p<0.05 level, marginal effect of education shows, family-women involvement increase by 19.03%. Years of experience, coefficient is positive and significant at p<0.01 levels, marginal effect shows the family-women involvement increase by 1.276%. Income level, this variable treated as log form and coefficient of income shows negative and significant, that marginal effect increase from its mean, family-women participation will decreased only by 8.29%. Extension services coefficient shows positive sign and significant at p<0.05 level. Tenure rights variable and dummy variable were used and coefficient negative sign. Level of contribution Coefficient shows positive and significant at p<0.1 level. Marginal effect that increases in its mean value resulted 4.376% increase the family-women participation. The women contribution to the agricultural production is highly in family-women, that they give financial support to their farming activities. The family-women age, income level and tenure rights had inverse relationship with participation in agriculture while, educational level, years of experience, extension services and level of contribution had positive relationship. This study pointed out that, despite the influence of other socio-economic variables, there is high level of commitment in agricultural production. The level of their contribution is an indication of their level of commitment in agriculture.