While 1991 statistics show that only about 8.5% of rural women are economically active, research and field observations indicate that the number is much greater. Rural women play an active part in food and other crop production, fisheries and livestock, especially poultry raising. In forestry, women are involved in the production and transplanting of seedlings. Since income from agriculture is often insufficient for subsistence, rural women's nonagricultural activities, such as carpet weaving and other crafts, are important to household survival.
Division of Labour by Gender. Although information on agricultural activities is not gender-disaggregated, case studies and observations show that rural women are engaged in various phases of crop production, including planting (particularly of rice), weeding, pest control, harvesting, processing and marketing. Women also play an important role in livestock raising and dairy production and in the processing and marketing of fish. Activities vary by region and crop. Increased farm mechanization has decreased women's part in planting operations, but has increased opportunities for employment in processing of food and animal products.
Gender Relations in Decision-making in Farming Activities. Most decisions related to food and other crops are made by men, although women sometimes participate in decisions on surplus production and the use of income from crops such as sugar beets, pulses and garden fruits. Women and men share equally in decisions on poultry and women also have a say in decisions regarding cattle and, to a lesser extent, sheep. Although, due to tradition, women have little decision-making power at the local level, elderly women have a special status and their opinions carry weight in household decision-making.
