Himachal Journal of Agricultural Research

Anju Kapoor ¹, Promila Kanwar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Home Science Extension and Communication Management, College of Home Science, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur-176 062, IN

Abstract

Women form a vital part of India's work force and play a very significant role with in and outside home. The future of mankind is linked to the development of women's potential and their economic independence. An attempt has been made to analyse the status of 40 Self Help Groups (comprised of 446 farm women) from nine villages of Baijnath block of District Kangra (Himachal Pradesh). Data were collected through interviews, discussions and observations. It was found that maximum duration of the groups was three years and majority of them were registered (92.5%) and 82% of them were doing inter-loaning. Women were using this money for general requirements like clothes, cosmetics and grocery items (51%), renovation of house (41.6%), marriage in own family (36.5%), health problems (34.8%). Exposure to outside world (91.3%), confidence among the members (78.8%), economic security (77.5 %) and cooperation among members (73.8%) were the main benefits reported by majority of SHG members. These groups were regular in money collection, maintenance of registers, discussion on utilization of money collected, socialization, discussing the social problems and religious activities during monthly meetings.

Keywords

Self Help Groups, SHG, Women Empowerment, Microfinance.

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Promila Kanwar ¹, Anju Kapoor ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Home Science Extension and Communication Management, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur-176 062, IN

Abstract

Pesticides have become a part of our life, sustaining many of our activities including prevention and control of many household and farm insects-pests and diseases for higher agricultural productivity . Still these have created a great threat in front of us due to their hazardous effects in our body and environment. Technical measures can be used to prevent pesticides hazards at source, and to prevent the transfer of dangerous pesticides to the human body and environment provided users have appropriate knowledge. Farmwomen have an important role to play not only in homestead activities but in agriculture also. A sample of 60 rural women involved in agriculture was taken from the five villages of Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh to know their knowledge regarding safe use of pesticides both in home and at farm. It was found that though women were aware about certain aspects of safe use of pesticides, still there were some facts about which they were almost ignorant like antidote to be kept while using the pesticides, proper disposal of empty containers after use, toxicity level of different pesticides and first aid to be given in case of any emergency . Thus, appropriate efforts are needed in this context.

Keywords

Safe Use of Pesticides, Pesticides, Insecticides, Fungicides, Herbicides.

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