Role of Homestead Agricultural Activities for Socioeconomic Development of Women: A Case Study on 'Kushumpura' union Under Patiya Upazila of Chittagong, Bangladesh.

Abstract

Homestead Agricultural Activities(HAA)refers to the works done by the women of the households to participate in agriculture in their closest homestead. The main purpose of the study was to determine the extent of participation of rural women on traditional system of homestead agriculture and to evaluate its role on socioeconomic development in rural area of Bangladesh. Data have been collected from both primary and secondary sources.Primary data were collected from the field survey, questionnaire survey,expert opinion,and FGD survey conducted from August 2017 to January 2018.The collected data computed,tabulated, and analyzed in accordance to the objectives of the study. The independent variables were measured by employing prevailing standard methods. Pearson's correlation coefficient(r) was used in order to test the null hypothesis. The study revealed that women were used to engage at medium level in HAA that may help to improve their socio-economic development. However, women were comparatively less involved in various rural social program and political activities, restricting expected women empowerment. Furthermore,there was no relationship between age and education of women in HAA,but a positive relationship is found between farm size, family income and training on HAA.To this end, a recommendation list has been drawn for sustainable management of HAA by proper training,funding, promoting small enterprises and encouragement to women. 

The Chittagong Univ. J. B. Sci. 9(1&2):63-80,2019