The future face of farming: Do women have an upper hand?

An IRRI Seminar

By Ashok Mishra
Professor
Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness
Louisiana State University, USA

1:15–2:15 P.M., Thursday, 13 June 2013
Havener Auditorium, IRRI

Abstract:

Labor is a key input in production agriculture and most of it, including farm operators, comes from farm families and often includes spouses.  The economic wellbeing of farm families depends on how labor is allocated to farm and off-farm work. Nonetheless, women are taking leadership roles in production agriculture. 

In the U.S., the proportion of women-operated farms nearly tripled from 1978 (5%) to 2007 (14%).  The women operate small farms, are highly educated, and hold multiple jobs. 

In the context of South Asia, comparisons can be made with Bangladesh, where farm households have diversified sources of income. Farm women here also have multiple jobs and earn more from off-farm work.
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Keywords: farm structure, labor allocation, farm women, women farm operators, off-farm income, women in agriculture, farm household income