eChapters

World Intellectual Property Organization

http://www.wipo.int,http://www.wipo.org

The World Intellectual Property Organization - referred to in abbreviated form as WIPO in English, and OMPI in French and Spanish - was established by a convention signed at Stockholm on July 14, 1967, and entitled “Convention Establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization.” The WIPO Convention entered into force in 1970. WIPO became a specialized agency in the United Nations system of organizations in 1974 and dedicated to the use of intellectual property (patents, copyright, trademarks, designs, etc.) as a means of stimulating innovation and creativity.

WIPO promote the development and use of the international IP system through Services, Law, Infrastructure and Development.

12.1 Introduction

“Precision farming,” also known as site-specific management, describes a bundle of new information technologies applied to the management of large-scale, commercial agriculture. Precision farming technologies include, for example: personal computers, satellite-positioning systems, geographic information systems, automated machine guidance, remote sensing devices and telecommunications. If they function as designed, ubiquitous wireless sensors will become an essential tool for bringing this vision of precision farming to maturity.

ABSTRACT

Herbal systems of medicine have been acceded by various drug regulatory authorities across the globe. In modern days, people prefer herbal medicines for the cure of various gentle to extreme and chronic disease, and another option is of allopathic system of medicine. In the present communication, the herbal formulations utilize extracted constituents of the various parts of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, a member of the famly Solanaceae, and commonly known as Ashwagandha, Indian ginseng, Asgand or winter cherry. This is a principal medicinal plant that has been used in various Ayurvedic formulations from more than 3000 years. Wide distribuion of this species have been reported from the various Indian states like are Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and mountainous regions of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu. This plant is commonly used, either alone or in combination, with other herbs for the cure of various conditions e.g stress and inflammation. The major phytochemicals of this species are alkaloids and steroidal lactones, and due to presence of various bioactive compounds, this plant species possess various multitudinous biological activities such as adaptogenic, antibiotic, aboritifacient, aphrodisiac, astringent, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, sedative, deobstruent, anti-stress, anti-oxidant, anti-carcinogenic, anti-aging, cardio protective, hypothyroid activity, immunomodulatory. Keeping these aspects into consideration, this herb has enormous potential for the management of a number of diseases. In the market, W. somnifera is available in various forms including decoctions, infusions, ointments, powder, tablet, capsule and syrup. This communication provides an account of various chemical constituents and their associated various biological functions.

Abstract

The food security scenario in South Asia has witnessed rapid progress over the last few decades, yet nutrition outcomes, especially those related to women and children, have failed to keep pace. This paper contends that the role of women in providing food and nutrition security at the household and individual level needs to be examined, if the paradox of persisting malnutrition amid macro level food sufficiency is to be resolved. Food security, in its broader connotation, results from the availability of adequate food, effective consumption, and desirable nutrition outcomes. As such, it is intricately linked with a woman’s multiple roles expressed in her productive, reproductive, and caring functions. However, even focused efforts aimed at resolving the problems faced by women in performing one or other of their roles, may fail to produce expected results, if the issues underlying each function and their inter-linkages are not fully understood. The paper thus attempts to review various aspects of the relationship between women and food security in South Asia, highlights the issues that require urgent focus and indicates emerging concerns in the region.

Women constitute 50% of our population. Their contribution to farming needs no emphasis as they are integral part of it. Women have developed farming in our country and contributed immensely for growth and maintenance of agriculture as a whole. But majority of them are not fully aware of sustainable agriculture in scientific terms although they practice it. Surveys and observations reveal that women are in favor of traditional agriculture and feel that traditional farming is more sustainable than the present one.

Abstract

Women empowerment means capacity of womenfolk to participate as equal partners in cultural, social, economic and political systems with much appreciated and gladly accepted by the society. Acceptance of unequal gender norms by women are still persisting in the society. Moreover, ignorance prevails in rural areas and subordination to men is considered as god-will by the womenfolk. Food, health and education are prioritized to boys and girls’ destiny is linked to surplus resource of the family if any, available. Gender inequality exists in every nation on the planet. Women’s disempowerment is all over the world, comprising countries of east and west so empowerment of women has become one of the most important concerns of 21st century’s world. More than one third of the world’s adults, most of them women, have no access to printed knowledge, to new skills or to technologies that would improve the quality of their lives and help them shape and adapt to social and economic change. There are 130 million children who are not enrolled in primary school and 70 per cent of them are girls. Women and girls around the world are more likely to live in poverty due to discriminatory and unjust economic policies, pervasive gender inequality, war and instability and climate change. Human society has to work for sexual and reproductive health and rights, freedom from violence, economic justice, and leadership as these are the critical building blocks for women’s rights. When a woman has these rights, she can be strong, safe, powerful, and heard. Cultural and religious factors are hurdles to women empowerment so the greatest need of the hour is to change the social attitude towards women. There is need to envision a world where all women, girls, and trans people have a voice and choice in the work they do. They are paid equal wages in safe and secure workplaces and they have access to justice and rights. Strengthening women’s leadership should be priority area because it is an integral part of social perception towards women status. The future of women’s human rights depends on a strong pipeline of diverse young women leaders, as well as on creating opportunities for leaders from different generations and movements to learn from each other. Long lists of international and national initiatives are available on the websites of various governments and United Nations but the tangible results are still awaited mainly because of poor/ half heartedly implementation.

Introduction

The status of women in India has been subject to many great changes over the past few millennia. From equal status with men in ancient times through the low points of the medieval period, to the promotion of equal rights by many reformers. The history of women in India has been eventful. In modern India, women have adored high offices in India including that of the President, Prime Minister, Speaker of Lok Sabha, leaders of opposition etc. The incumbent president of India is a woman but the same vast majority of the women suffer from the great discrimination and even the basic human rights are denied to them.

INTRODUCTION

In the history of human development, woman has been as important as man. In fact, the status, employment and work performed by women in society is the indicator of a nation’s overall progress. Without the participation of women in national activities, the social, economical or political progress of a country will stagnate. Empowerment is a multi-dimensional process, which should enable women to realize their full identity and power in all spheres of life. It consists of greater access to knowledge and resources, greater autonomy in decision making to enable them to have greater ability to plan their lives, or to have greater control over the circumstances that influence their lives and free from shocks imposed on them by customs, beliefs and practices. Generally development with justice is expected to generate the forces that lead to empowerment of various sections of women and to raise their status.

Abstract

84 per cent of the Indian rural women livelihood depends on agriculture. It is estimated that 52-75 per cent of the Indian women engaged in agriculture are illiterate. Prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women ranges between 50%-90%. From these facts it infers that ghost of food and nutritional security haunts the rural women health and prosperity. Female participation in the economic activities also determines the sex ratio because the work determines the worth in the society. It has been observed that in those families where women participate in economic activities, this problem is not severe as compared to those families which do not participate in economic activities. Diverse areas of entrepreneurship exists in rural India for women empowerment. This potential can be realized through policy and infrastructure support from the government and by strengthening proactive synergies among various farm and non-farm sectors activities. Although we are proud of the Indian women in the global arena yet we have peer into the atrocities against them in the name of female foeticide, gender inequality, sexual harassment, dowry system and many more evils with promotion of involvement in socio-economic enterprises, if rural transformation is to be achieved.

Woman is an incarnation of ‘Shakti’the Goddess of Power. If she is bestowed with education, world’s strength will double. Let the campaign of ‘Kanya Kelavni’ be spread in every home; let the lamp of educating daughters be lit up in every heart across the regions and religions of the world.

Abstract

Globalization defines a new process of economic integration which is fuelled by neoliberal ideals claiming that an unregulated market economy maximizes economic efficiency and growth. Concept of equability and women empowerment provides durable strength and sustainable development to the programs aimed at promotion of commerce and trade through globalization. The post 2015 Development Agenda have not done much to address the large inequalities and discrimination against women. Global initiatives designed to benefit the daily lives of women and girls not being implemented effectively. This is especially for decision making and financial systems. The right to women needs to be ensured in order: to participate in the elaboration and implementation of development planning at all levels, to have access to adequate health care facilities, including information, counselling and services in family planning, to benefit directly from social security programmes, to obtain all types of training and education, formal and informal. All forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere must be ended. Out of the seventeen sustainable development goals (SDGs), not even the single one will be achieved without including women and girls as equal partners. All countries hold the same responsibility to ensure the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development within their own borders, and to support other countries in achieving the SDGs which includes reaffirming and contributing to the fulfilment of gender equality. Women and girls have to be equal partners in sustainable development.

Women empowerment refers to the process of enabling women to increase their control over their lives, resources, and decision-making power. It involves promoting gender equality, challenging gender stereotypes, and addressing the social, economic, and political barriers that prevent women from reaching their full potential.
The Government of India declared 2001 as the ‘Year of Women’s Empowerment and the National Policy for the Empowerment of Women came into force from 2001. The policy approaches that were underlined in this policy concerned gender equality. The policy proposed that the legal system be made responsive and gender sensitive to women’s needs. It stated that women should be economically and socially empowered through focused efforts.
Women empowerment has several dimensions
1. Economic Empowerment: Access to education, employment, credit, and other economic resources.
2. Political Empowerment: Participation in decision-making processes, leadership positions, and political representation.
3. Social Empowerment: Challenging gender stereotypes, promoting gender equality and addressing social norms that limit women’s potential.
4. Legal Empowerment: Access to justice, legal rights, and protection from discrimination and violence.
5. Psychological Empowerment: Building self-esteem, confidence, and self-reliance.
Challenges/problems in women empowerment
1. Societal and Cultural Barriers: Gender stereotypes, patriarchal norms, and cultural practices that perpetuate gender inequality.
2. Lack of Education and Awareness: Limited access to education, training, and information that hinders women’s ability to make informed choices.
3. Economic Dependence: Limited access to resources, credit, and employment opportunities that perpetuate financial dependence on men.

Women hold up half the sky’ according to Chinese saying. This is true with the Indian scenario as well, since women make up half the country’s population. The rural women in India constitutes nearly 77.00 per cent of the total female population. About 79.00 per cent of rural women workers are involved in agriculture related pursuits as cultivators and labourers. Farm & home are integral parts in the rural society in India and the ‘house wifes’ in the farmstead often plays multiple roles as producer, entrepreneur, workers, consumers, and homemaker. Women are more sensitive than men to the extremes of poverty and its consequences.

Abstract

Gender equity is more pronounced in livestock sector where more than 70% participation is from women side as compared to 33% in agricultural farming. About 75 million women are engaged in livestock sector. In India, livestock production is largely in the hands of women. In fact animal husbandry is becoming feminized. At present about 22% of milk and 2% percent of meat is processed into value-added products for trade while in developed countries it is above 90% and 60%, respectively. Traditional dairy products not only have established market in India but also great export potential because of strong presence of Indian diaspora in many part of the world. Value addition to dairy foods would provide health benefits to the consumers and improve the scale of economy in the dairy industry. Nearly half of the milk produced in India (50-55%) is utilized for the manufacture of value-added milk products but only 22% of the total milk produced is processed by the organized dairy sector. Conversion of surplus milk into indigenous milk products in and around production areas is least expensive and more profitable. Most of the animal farming activities such as cleaning of barn, washing of animals and hygienic maintenance, fodder collection, feeding, watering, and health care, management, milking, collection of dung for fertilizer and fuel, care of sick, pregnant and lactating animals, milking, household-level processing and value addition (ghee, curd, khoa, lassi and desi butter-making) are undertaken by women. However adoption of value-added livestock products as an entrepreneurship is scarce activity because of lack of training and financial liberties.

Abstract

Women make up almost half of the agricultural labour force in developing countries (43 per cent according to UN Women data). Empowerment of women is central to achieving the objective of inclusive, equitable and sustainable development. Between the period 2007-08 and 2009-10, the share of person-days in casual employment in MANREGS to the total person-days in all economic activities has also increased. The increase was marginal for male workers but significant for female workers. This again confirms that female workers have been the largest beneficiaries of MANREGS projects. The share of female participation in these public works is more than the share of their male counterparts. The survey shows that women comprise only 13.76% of the total entrepreneurs, i.e., 8.05 million out of the 58.5 million entrepreneurs. Among the states, the largest share in number of establishments under women entrepreneurship is of Tamil Nadu (13.51%) followed by Kerala (11.35%), Andhra Pradesh (10.56%), West Bengal (10.33%) and Maharashtra (8.25%). Average employment per establishment for women owned establishments is 1.67. The main challenges that women face in business are educational and work background, balancing their time share between work and family, problems of raising start-up capital, difficulty in borrowing fund, thought-cut completions endangered existence of small companies, problems of availing raw- materials access to export market without intermediaries, as well as an overall psychological barrier on the part of banks, suppliers, and clients alike. Govt of India and different bodies such as NGOs, voluntary organizations, self-help groups, institutions and individual enterprises from rural and urban areas are active to help the women entrepreneurs in their ventures.

Abstract

Indiscriminate and intuitive applications of the synthetic pesticides have adversely affected the ecological balance, resulting in pest resurgence, development of resistance in the pest species and environmental pollution. Biocontrol agents are now available to contain effectively diverse diseases and pests of various major field, fruit and vegetable crops with the result their demand in market has enhanced several folds but low production and scarce availability is a major constraint in their large scale adoption by farmers. While as now protocols for mass production of a number of biocontrol agents have been standardised and simplified, these can now be adopted by the unemployed educated youths to start entrepreneurship for self employment. In order to empower and improve the women farmers’ productivity, they need to have proper farm training and capacity building programs to compete various challenges in their rural livelihood and mass production of bio-control agents is an emerging enterprise with commercial potential. The Indian bio-pesticide market stands at over US$127 million (7-8% of the global market) and is expected to triple by FY20. The research efforts at the ICAR institutes and SAUs have been targeted to relieve women of the drudgery by providing technologies, time and labour saving tools with good market linkage. Women self help group with proper training can start their own bio-pesticides units for which finance with subsidy is available.

Abstract

Most of the vegetables available in the market contain large quantity of pesticide residue. This has created serious health problems among the people. Self-sufficiency in safe to eat vegetable production can be achieved either by commercial production or better farming by family in kitchen garden. As quality control mechanism is not strong and well established, the produce from commercial farming can’t be assured as safe to eat product. The continuous effort taken by our centre and other existing systems in the state for the last six years have made the people aware about the quality of vegetables. In Kerala, most of the families, especially in town and nearby areas are having only 3 to 10 percent of land. The space they can spare for vegetable production either on the ground or on roof top is hardly 10 to 40m². Pest and disease attack is another issue in Kerala. Hence our centre gave importance for the design and development of 10m² /20m² /30m² poly-kitchen garden which could accommodate 160 to 350 plants (almost all pest susceptible crops required for a family can be accommodated inside these structures.) suitable for a family by utilizing multi-tier grow bags (one multi-tier grow bag can accommodate 35 to 50 plants), grow bags and troughs. In these structures, cultivation practices can be done even during night without the fear of snake and mosquitoes by fitting a fluorescent lamp. This technology was approved by Government of Kerala and declared 75% subsidy for establishing this full facility for a family. In order to popularize this technology among the public, we had conducted many training programmes and empowered the women (house wife/employed woman) in vegetable production and to make their mindset to ensure a kitchen garden (either a conventional type grow bag kitchen garden or poly-kitchen garden) in their house plot. When we started working with this goal (in 2013, when project was started), < 20% of required vegetables for the state was produced in the state. On account of our continuous effort, by the year 2016, state managed to pick up its vegetable production by 64.5%

Abstract

Livestock sector has gained momentum world over with consistently increasing market demand for live stock products. India with annual 171 million tons of liquid milk production, 74 billion egg production, 3.8 million tons of poultry meat and 11.50 million ton of fish production offers enormous opportunities for women agri-preneurs to venture into this area. Micro-enterprise development related to livestock rearing activities like dairy farming, sheep husbandry, goatry, poultry, livestock feed production, vermin-composting and value added product development and production are the important enterprises in which women can utilize their technical skills. Finance for infrastructure and small scale agro-processing units are requisites to success of rural women entrepreneurs as these will help them to enhance their competency to use raw materials from the farm and livestock to earn substantial income. Rural women entrepreneurs are facing tough competition from the large scale organizations and urban entrepreneurs where governmental interventions are essential. The women producers are not collective in their approach for marketing their products because they are scattered and mostly uneducated. The women entrepreneurs are heavily dependent on middlemen for marketing of their products who pocket large amount of profit. Hence, government should take steps to provide market information of different products and finance to the rural entrepreneurs at concessional rates.

The aim of this training programme was to empower women from the Scheduled Caste community by providing them with skills to create handmade seashell jewellery and other handicraft products, which they could then sell to supplement their income. The training was conducted in a modular format, which included soft skill development, theoretical sessions, practical sessions, and field visits. The training programme was conducted in Keelathilayenthal Village in Ramanathapuram District, which is known for its rich marine life and abundance of seashells.

About the seashell-making-entrepreneurship model

The training programme was funded by MANAGE, Hyderabad, and was overseen by Dr. Shahaji Phand, Programme Director, and Dr. Sushrirekha Das, Coordinator. All 30 participants were women from the fishing community who were interested in learning seashell ornament- making skills. 

Abstract

Political participation of women, on equal terms with men, at all levels of decision-making is essential to achieve the principles of equality, sustainable development, peace and prosperity. Participation is a development approach, which comprises the involvement of disadvantage segments of population in the design and implementation of policies concerning their wellbeing. To achieve gender equality by 2030 requires urgent action to eliminate the many root causes of discrimination that still curtail women’s rights in private and public spheres. Discriminatory laws need to be changed and legislation adopted to proactively advance equality. 49 countries still lack laws protecting women from domestic violence, while 39 bar equal inheritance rights for daughters and sons. Based on data from 87 countries, 1 in 5 women and girls under the age of 50 will have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner within the last 12 months. International efforts through UN are being encouraged throughout the world but are constrained by lack of national policy, cultural factors, social factors, religious factors, economical factors and role of gender base patriarchy. Secular and sustainable democracy prevails only when women experience benefits equally with their male counterparts. Creating adequate space in politics for women participation is essential to sustain real democracy and oblige mothers, wives, daughters and sisters and Gender Responsive Governance is the best strategy for this which embodies measures, attitudes and practices of different stakeholders, both men and women, at different levels of governance with a clear purpose to impact issues that foster women’s empowerment and promote gender equity and social justice. It is a process that promotes and sustains the ability of women to fully participate in the governance and development process, enhances their ability to raise critical questions about inequality and violence against them without fear and pressure.

Introduction

Self Help Group is a voluntary and self managed group of poor people, who come together to promote savings among themselves and pool savings for activities benefiting either individuals or communities economically. Empowerment of women has now become a key issue in the Government’s Five year plans by organizing women into Self Help Groups to make the beginning of a major process of empowering women. 320 million people, out of our 1.1 billion, are steeped in abject poverty and due to their asset lessens it is difficult for them to access any kind of aid from banking / financial institutions and this state of the hopelessness and the constraints of an ineffective credit delivery system can be transcended by enhancing the self esteem and raising the feeling of human self worth. The SHGs approach is a reshaping initiative that enhances the livelihoods and ensures sustainability by enabling poor families to access effective economical and social development leading to empowerment.

In Tripura SHG’s has been introduced in the year 1999.The main objectives of this programme by mutual beneficial of social and economic activities through women mobilization. SHG’s are a way to involve rural women and men actively in the development process by means of increased income Agricultural situation of WTD differs to some extent from the other districts in regard to topography, soil, extent of rain-fall, variation in temperature and humidity which has resulted in difference in cropping pattern also from that of the other three districts. People mainly practice rice and vegetables cultivation. The plain land people also were satisfied to grow single crop preferably paddy without having any knowledge and experience of improved cultivation for growing multiple crops. Animal husbandry is another sector contributing to the economy of WTD. Cattle and poultry are the main livestock wealth of the district. (DRDA office, Agartala, 2010). Many Government and non-government organization now have come forward for helping poor communities and to energize their capacity in development activities of which Self Help Group (SHGs) is thought as the best means for improving their position in the society.

Abstract

The study was conducted in Tumkur district which is considered as a very progressive district with 7230 SHG’s. It has 11 taluks out of which Tumkur taluk was selected for the study. Within this taluk, a cluster of 7 SHG’s were considered for the study. The results show that more than three fourths of Stree Shakthi group members came to know about the Stree Shakthi Programme through anganawadi workers (92.5%) followed by news papers (7.5%). It is also interesting to note that 87.5% reported that to a great extent their attitude changed about bringing up their children without discrimination, sending their daughter to school compulsorily and growing vegetables in their backyard. Further results reveal that SSP is changing the attitude of rural setting. Family problems, cast and religion, lack of encouragement in the family, political problem were the major constraints in SHG as perceived by the members.  Still SSG has made some qualitative changes in the lives of the rural people.

Abstract

World Economic forum (WEF) which evaluated 149 countries on four parameters including economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment, said that it would take 108 years to close the overall gender gap. That means the economic opportunity gap-based on participation, pay and advancement in the workforce-remains the area that is going to take the longest time to close. Globally, women are paid less than men. Women in most countries earn on average only 60 to 75 per cent of men’s wages. Contributing factors include the fact that women are more likely to be wage workers and unpaid family workers; that women are more likely to engage in low-productivity activities and to work in the informal sector, with less mobility to the formal sector than men. India’s inequality crisis hurts girls and women the most. An Oxfam report on inequality published in January 2019 revealed that in the workplace, women still receive 34% less wages than their male counterparts for the same work. In J&K, incidences of domestic violence, dowry, etc are rampant. State Women Commission J&K receives 1600-1700 domestic violence cases every year, majority cases being from the Kashmir Valley. Men’s silence, insensitivity and indifferences with regards to gender equality practices need to be the focus theme of the time. The fight for gender equality cannot be fought by women alone. Men have a key role to play in demanding and supporting this societal shift by being a part of the movement.

Keywords: Women empowerment, global perspectives, Indian perspectives, way forward.

Theory
The Constitution of India related to women:
    ·    Guarantees to all Indian women equality: Article 14
    ·    No discrimination by the State: Article 15(1)
    ·    Equality of opportunity: Article 16
    ·    Equal pay for equal work: Article 39(d)
    ·    Securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief: Article 42
    ·    The All India Women’s Education Conference was held in Pune in 1927. 
    ·    The National Policy For the Empowerment of Women came was passed in 2001
    ·    In 2010 March 9, Rajya Sabha passed the Women’s Reservation Bill requiring that 33% of seats in India’s Parliament and state legislative bodies be reserved for women

Concept and Meaning of Empowerment Meaning and definition

Women empowerment has been widely recognized as an important goal in global development process. The term “empowerment” was coined in the second half of the seventeenth century (Oxford English Dictionary). It gained momentum in USA in 1960s when the activists of Black Panat Movement used the term ‘empowerment’ in the context of political mobilization. In 1980s the term was adopted by NGOs worldwide to signify an alternative development agenda for poverty alleviation based on principles of participation and self help. During this period, the participation and self help came to forefront. There after it has entered many fields of theory and practice. Since 1980s, the world has witnessed the concept, used to describe this phenomenon (empowerment).

The voiceless and powerless are the common elements that need the concept of empowerment in terms of socio-economic, technological, cultural and political development. In the context of power, empowerment depends on two things. These are: power can change and power can extend. The concept came to exist that power can change and power can extend giving the term ‘empowerment’ as the power is created in relationship, power and power relationship can certainly change. Therefore, empowerment simply is a process of change.

The Constitution of India related to women

Guarantees to all Indian women equality: Article 14

No discrimination by the State: Article 15(1)

Equality of opportunity: Article 16

Equal pay for equal work: Article 39(d)

Securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief: Article 42

The All India Women’s Education Conference was held in Pune in 1927

The National Policy For the Empowerment of Women came was passed in 2001

In 2010 March 9, Rajya Sabha passed the Women’s Reservation Bill requiring that 33% of seats in India’s Parliament and state legislative bodies be reserved for women.

Women perform 2/3 of the world’s work

Women earn 1/10 of the world’s income

Women comprise 2/3 of the world’s illiterate

Women own less than 1/100 of the world’s property

2.1 Introduction

Empowerment means change, choice and power. It is a process of change by which the individuals and groups with no power and ability to make choices that affect their lives. Women empowerment is a stage of acquiring power for women in order to understand right and to perform her responsibilities towards oneself and others in effective way.

Empowerment is a multi-faceted, multi-dimensional and multi-layered concept. Women's empowerment is a process in which women gain greater share of control over resources- material, human and intellectual [knowledge, information, ideas] and financial resources and control over decision-making in the home, community, society, nation and to gain `power'. According to the Country Report of Government of India, "Empowerment means moving from a position of enforced powerlessness to one of power". In this process, women should be empowered socially, economically, educationally and politically that can help them take Self-decision regarding education, mobility, economic independency, political participation, public speaking and awareness to exercise rights.

Abstract

Women entrepreneurship means the process in which women initiate a business, gather all resources, undertake risks, face challenges, provides employment to others and manage the business independently. Where women population hovers around 50% of the total human population in the world so entrepreneurship by them plays a key role in the development of economy of both developed and developing nations. The problems faced by women entrepreneurs are heavy work load, irregular payment, lack of work guarantee and no maternity benefits, health problems, marketing, financial liberty and being away from home. A different culture is required to promote, motivate and develop sustainable infrastructure for fostering women entrepreneurship. Often, an entrepreneur has to go through a complex set of procedures and formalities to start a business, which not only create irritations and delays but frustrate her efforts until she is exhausted. An urgent need, therefore, is to simplify procedures and formalities. Part of the problem is one of attitudes, which are built on regulatory roles rather than developmental roles. All training and financial agencies need to be gender sensitive. The time has come for an effort to inculcate a spirit of enterprise, self-dependence, creativity, and high goals among women in developing nations. Hence, entrepreneurship must be made part and parcel of the education curriculum.

An Entrepreneur is an individual who creates a new business, bearing most of the risks and enjoying most of the rewards. The process of setting up a business is known as entrepreneurship. An Entrepreneur is commonly seen as an innovator, a source of new ideas, goods, services and business procedures. Entrepreneurship plays a key role in any economy by using the skills and initiative necessary to anticipate needs and bringing good new ideas to market.

Abstract

Role of women in agriculture is a well-known fact and is unquestionable. The changing trend in agriculture technology, use of modern tools, and wider participation of community is crucial in making farming activity as an attractive field of employment. While most of the young and male population is shifting to urban areas for wage based non-agriculture activity, women have to bear the burden of agriculture in villages. The drudgery faced by women in farm activiies need to be reduced and value addition to the farm products is required at home  scale/community scale in the villages. Newer and economically viable systems need to be introduced at village level with ample scope for women to participate in these activities. Women should not only be partners in agriculture but they also should take lead in entrepreneurship and in value addition. Further marketing systems for the products need to be established. 

Abstract

Farm women are the backbone of Indian agriculture. They contribute more to food production and family income in terms of skilled and entrepreneurship than is generally known or accepted. Thus the governmental efforts to reach the development goals may be jeopardised by not taking into account the women’s contribution to agriculture. In this age of scientific development farm women have not participated to the extent they are expected in agriculture because they are not recognized as tangible contributors to agricultural development. They always remained as invisible workers in spite of their pivotal role and remain silently behind all the efforts of men. Very few scientific and empirical investigations have been made to examine the actual participation of farm women in crop production and dairy production activities. Taking the above situation into consideration, four minuscule studies were conducted in Bangalore, Mysore, Mandya and Chamarajanagar districts of Karnataka to know the level, extent and nature of participation of women in home, farm and livestock production activities.

Abstract

Scarcity of resources, economic deprivation, gender bias in wages, prevention from decision making and using income generated by farm activities has made life miserable and unjustifiably hard for rural women. The plight of rural women can be improved by dissemination of latest technologies in agriculture, creating small entrepreneurial outlets for agri-based products, networking of support services for women, development of new and adoption of drudgery reducing technologies, improvement in rural infrastructure to improve the life style and to promote entrepreneurial opportunities, better access to resources, organizing women’s co-operative movement, larger role in decision making, mandatory involvement of women in all agencies and organizations involved in rural development, feedback and follow up of women’s programmes and recognizing the success of rural women by government and its highlighting by media.

Women play a crucial role in agriculture worldwide, contributing significantly to food security, economic stability, and community development. Despite their essential role, female farmers face numerous challenges, including limited access to land, credit, education, and technology. This article explores the multifaceted contributions of women in agriculture, the barriers they face, and the strategies for empowering female farmers. By addressing these challenges through targeted interventions and policies, we can enhance agricultural productivity, promote gender equality, and achieve sustainable development goals.

Introduction

Women are indispensable to the agricultural sector, particularly in developing countries where they make up a substantial portion of the agricultural labor force. Their roles range from fieldwork and livestock management to food processing and marketing. However, female farmers often encounter systemic barriers that hinder their productivity and limit their potential. Empowering women in agriculture is not only a matter of social justice but also a critical factor in boosting agricultural output, improving food security, and fostering sustainable development.

Status of Women

As per 2011 Census, women account for 586.46 million, and represent 48.5% of India’s total population. However, from global perspectives, they constitute half of global population, and 1/3^rd labour force, but receive only 1/10^th of world income, and own less than 1% of world’s property. Further from national point of view as Reddy et al. (1994) in his study opined that “although women constitute 50 percent of India’s population, perform two-thirds of the work and produce 50 percent of food commodities consumed by the country and they earn only one-third of the remuneration and 10 percent of the property or wealth of the country.

The vast majority of working women are uneducated cultivators and agricultural labourers residing in villages. Most of the women, working on the family farm are unpaid labourers. 63 percent of all educated women with at least a high school certificate are unemployed, and of the 37 percent who are employed 15 percent are clerks, 5 percent teachers, 7 percent nurses and 10 percent are other professionals. Only 6 percent of Government employees are women (Jain, A.K. 2004). Rural Women form the most important productive work force in the economy of majority of the developing nations including India. Agriculture, the single largest production endeavour in India, contributing about 18% of GDP, is increasingly becoming a female activity. Agriculture sector employs 4/5th of all economically active women in the country. 48% of India’s self-employed farmers are women. There are 75 million women engaged in dairying as against 15 million men and 20 million in animal husbandry as compared to 1.5 million men.

Despite progress in several key indicators, a gender analysis demonstrates that women continue to be relatively disadvantaged in matters of survival, health, nutrition, literacy and productivity. Further, more than 90 percent of rural women are unskilled, restricting them to low paid occupations. Women generally have no control over land and other productive assets which largely exclude them from access to institutional credit. Further, agricultural wages for women, on an average 30-50 percent less than those for men. Though they work for longer hours under inhospitable conditions, their participation in decision making process is less than desirable.

Abstract

Women become major players in creating sustainable livelihood in rural areas. Though they are the major work force compared to men in agriculture and allied areas, they are considered as invisible entity. Their contribution in total labour force itself is about 55 to 60 per cent. They play multiple roles both in and outside the home by ensuring food security and substantiating nutritional security to the family as a whole. Empowering these women with knowledge and skill to take up vocational income generating activities is prime need of the hour. Further, building their capacities on managerial skills, decision making, and technical competency is also equally important area of concern.

Abstract

Women Technology Park is a technology modulation and a training centre to show case livelihood technologies for women. The aim of Women Technology Park is to create awareness among rural farming community and give trainings of proven technology to reap maximum benefits from their existing resources. Its objective is to make them aware about “processing” that can enhance their income in multiple times. In this direction, the first ever Women Technology Park (WTP) of Jammu and Kashmir was sponsored by SEED division of Department of Science and Technology, Government of India and endorsed by Livestock Products Division FVSc, SKUAST-Jammu. It was inaugurated by Vice chancellor of SKUAST- Jammu at Deoli Village of Bishnah Block, Jammu and Kashmir. 12 groups of women were screened out and trainings were imparted to them for a week. More than 75 training cum awareness programs have been organized with more than 1500 beneficiaries. There are more than 50 beneficiaries who received start up grant in the form of goods essential for preparing livestock products and started up their own micro-enterprises and became self-reliant and set an example for other women to come up and take up processing of livestock products as profession to earn their livelihood.

The interventions for women empowerment was perhaps started intensively since fourth plan period. Subsequently many more initiatives are taken for the total all round development of women in this country.

A. 4^TH FIVE YEAR PLAN (1969-1974)

Farmers Training and Education Programme

It was for the first time in the 4^th Five Year Plan that an effort was made by Ministry of Agriculture to address the training and extension needs of women farmers with new and improved technology through “Farmers Training and Education Programme”, in which a network of 150 Farmers Training Centers were established to close the visible gap between the recommended package of practices and the farm women’s knowledge and skills about them. In this programme, a linkage of the supply of production inputs with improved technical training, supported by Farm Radio Broadcast and Functional Literacy was provided. The unique feature of this programme was that for the first time, a cognizance of women’s participation in agriculture was taken. The experience of the programme had shown that the states which gave due importance to this programme, especially in terms of curriculum planning and syllabus formulation (based on true status and needs of women farmers), achieved very good results. It was, this programme, which focused many issues that had to be categorically considered while planning and implementing agriculture support programmes for women farmers.

INTRODUCTION

Women constitute half of the humanity, contributing to two-thirds of world’s work hours. She earns only one-third of the total income and owns less than one-tenth of the world’s resources. This shows that the economic status of women is in a pathetic condition and this is more so in a country like India. Rural women in India share abundant responsibility and perform a wide spectrum of duties in running the family, maintaining the house, involving in activities like rearing, feeding livestock, attending to farm labour, and the likes. Still they suffer economically and are socially invisible. Training of rural women is important so as to increase their involvement in developmental process, enhance their skill and make them equal partners in national development.

Introduction

Entrepreneurship is considered one of the most significant variables influencing the economic development of society and the growth of every country. In addition to human resources, effective resource management is also essential for a nation’s success. Entrepreneurship involves the act of creating something as an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs are thought to play a key function in initiating and maintaining socioeconomic development. As women cover up approximately half of the population their societal status significantly significantly impact the country’s development.

Abstract

Sericulture, an agro-based industry contributes significantly to Indian economy.  Silk cocoons are reeled on charaka, cottage and multiend reeling machines. Of these more than 50% of raw silk comes from charaka sector. Charaka silk reeling units decreased from 23971 to 16263 (1998-2003) in Karnataka. These charakas are mostly operated at grass root level with labour coming from small, marginal and land less villagers. A study was conducted in 15 charaka reeling units in two taluks each of Bangalore rural, Mysore, Kolar and Chamarajanagar districts. Respondents were grouped into small (1-4 charakas), medium (5-8) and large charaka reelers (>8). Primary data was collected with pre-tested schedules.

Kudumbashree, is the flagship poverty eradication and women’s empowerment programme, of the Government of Kerala, and is one of India’s most successful community development missions. Launched in 1998 by the Government of Kerala in collaboration with NABARD and the Government of India, Kudumbashree operates through a unique three-tier community network that connects millions of women across the state. Its model- built on economic empowerment, social inclusion, and participatory governance- has become a benchmark for women-led development both nationally and internationally. At the foundation of Kudumbashree lies its grassroots structure: the Neighbourhood Group (NHG) of 10–20 women; the Area Development Society (ADS) at ward level; and the Community Development Society (CDS) at the panchayat level. This federated network enables women to mobilize

Chapter Overview

In this chapter, we delve into the pivotal role of women in livestock production, particularly in the context of India. Women emerge as the backbone of livestock care, contributing significantly to rural communities’ well-being and the nation’s economy. We explore their diverse and indispensable contributions, from feeding and general management to health and breed management, processing, and marketing. Despite their crucial roles, women face numerous obstacles and constraints in livestock production, including limited access to resources, gender biases, and cultural norms.

Wood apple (Feronia limonia (L.) Swingle) is also called kainth, elephant apple, monkey fruit, curd fruit, kath bel and other dialectal names in India. It is drought hardy, medium to tall sized, under utilized fruit tree. In Malaya, it is gelinggi or belinggi, in Thailand, Ma-khwit, in Cambodia, Kromsang and in Laos, Ma-fit. In French, it is pomm-d-elephant, pomm de bois, or citron des mois (Morton and Miami, 1987). It is one of the most highly valued fruit plant grown in drier region of the country. Its plants are deciduous, glabrous, tree with thorny branches. Limited work has been done on its post harvest utilization.

The wood apple is native to India and common in the wild form in dry plains of India and Sri Lanka. It is also found growing throughout South East Asia, in Northern Malaya and on Penang Island. In India, the fruit was traditionally a “Poor man’s food” until processing techniques were developed in the mid-1950’s. It occurs, wild or cultivated, up to an elevation of 1500 ft, in Western Himalayas, but more common in the Deccan; Thane and Chandrapur districts of Maharashtra. It is also reported to occur in parts of Hazaribagh, Palamau and Chota Nagpur in Jharkhand, in forest of Vidhyan hills of Uttar Pradesh and Chattishgarh. It is often cultivated on borders of fields and as a roadside tree near villages and sometimes planted in the orchards. It is grown in the states of Odisha, Karnataka, M.P., A. P.  and Tamil Nadu.

Wood apple (Feronia limonia (L) Swingle) is a thorny tree commonly found in dry deciduous forests. In India, it is known by several common names like elephant apple, curd apple, monkey fruit, kavat, curd fruit and kath bel. In Malaysia, it is known as gelinggai or belinggai; in Thailand, ma-khwit; in Cambodia, kramsang; in Laos, ma-fit; in French, pommed’ elephant, pomme de bois or citron des mois. The tree is very hardy and has tolerance to drought and salinity. Its cultivation as a fruit tree is rare, but fruits of naturally occurring trees in community lands, forests and on roadsides are  used for chutney and pickle making. Fruits being rich in pectin, minerals and vitamins offer unique opportunity to utilize them extensively for processing. Extensive root system and synchronization of its reproductive phase with high moisture availability make it a suitable crop for arid zones.

Origin and Distribution
The wood-apple is native and common in  wild in dry plains of India and SriLanka and cultivated along roads and edges of fields and occasionally in orchards. It is also grown throughout Southeast Asia, in Northern Malaysia and on Penang Island. In India, the fruit was traditionally a “poor man’s food” until processing techniques were developed in the mid-1950’s. It is one of the very hardy trees  growing all over the plains of India, especially in the semi-arid and arid regions. It is more common in Deccan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhatishgarh, Bihar and Jharkhand. Iit also occurs in the Western Himalayas upto an elevation of about 500 m amol.

Wood apple is also known as kaith, kavat, curd apple and monkey fruit. It is found almost throughout the country. It is one of the very hardy tree found growing in arid and semi arid regions of the country. Hill region of northern India and Ceylon are supposed to be its native land (Reuther et al., 1967). Chundawat (1990) thought it to be a native of India and Sri Lanka. It is a popular tree of forest, Indoor yard garden and can be exploited for regular cultivation in dry areas. The cricket ball size fruits have sweet and aromatic pulp, eaten fresh or used for drinks, chutneys, jellies etc. In forests of Rajasthan, it is commonly found in Aravalli range and Hadoti Plateau.

1. Physiologically heart wood is_____________. (Dead)
2. Sapwood is rich in_____________ material. (Starch)
3. Growth rings are also called as_____________. (Annual rings)
4. Earlywood and late wood are referred as and_____________ respectively. (Spring wood and Summer wood)
5. _____________ is the light coloured outer portion of a tree log consisting of the youngest growth rings. (Sapwood)
6. The deep coloured central portion of wood is_____________. (Heartwood)
7. _____________ and_____________ are function of sapwood. (Conduction of sap and Food storage)
8. The function of the heartwood is_____________. (Mechanical strength)
9. Vessels and fibres are absent in_____________ wood. (Non-porous)

• Its constitution makes the tree one of the useful medicinal plants of India.
• Soils including degraded soils of the arid region and can tolerate salinity to a certain extent.
• It is mostly grown in dry portions of subtropical and tropical regions of the country.
• The mature plants can tolerate temperatures as low as 0-15°C and as high as 47.5°C.
• Commercial propagation of seed / In-situ budding.
• Ideal Planting distance required is of 8 to 10m
• Opening of flowers starts in the 2nd week of March.
• The flowers are mainly staminate and hermaphrodite.
• Ripe fruits are available from October-March.
• The tree can produce about 200 to 250 fruits per annum.