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Prakasam District, AP  
 
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Supply and Demand

Results

Estimating the demand/needs of women in agriculture

Table 1. Number of interviews held in TN.

State

Event Type

Informant

Events

TN

Indl Interview

Govt

2

TN

Indl Interview

NGO

1

TN

Indl Interview

Pvt Indl

3

TN

Indl Interview

Pvt Sect

1

TN

Mtg With Org

Govt

9

TN

Mtg With Org

Pvt Sect

1

TN

Field Discussions

Local Community Org

29

 

Table 2. Number of interviews held in AP.

State

Event Type

Informant

Events

AP

Indl Interview

Govt

2

AP

Indl Interview

NGO

2

AP

Indl Interview

Pvt Sect

3

AP

Mtg With Org

Govt

14

AP

Mtg With Org

NGO

2

AP

Field Discussions

Local Community Org

31

 

Table 3. Number of study participants in TN.

State

EventType

Informant

Participants

TN

Indl Interview

Govt

2

TN

Indl Interview

NGO

1

TN

Indl Interview

Pvt Indl

3

TN

Indl Interview

Pvt Sect

1

TN

Mtg With Org

Govt

16

TN

Mtg With Org

Pvt Sect

1

TN

Field Discussions

Local Community Org

146

 

Table 4. Number of study participants in AP.

State

EventType

Informant

Participants

AP

Indl Interview

Govt

2

AP

Indl Interview

NGO

2

AP

Indl Interview

Pvt Sect

3

AP

Mtg With Org

Govt

28

AP

Mtg With Org

NGO

3

AP

Field Discussions

Local Community Org

216

In Tamil Nadu, the total number of households was 5706. This equates to a population of 30,807 of which 6846 women are considered to be economically active. In AP, the total number of households is 4107. This equates to a population of 22,185 of which 4930 women are considered to be economically active. Economically active women are defined as any woman who has any kind of income from the different vocations/activities.

Table 5. Population Characteristics of the Villages in TN.

State

LocationName

District

Number of Households

Estimated Pop

Estimated Number of Eco Active Women

TN

Aravampatti

Pudukkottai

358

1930

429

TN

Kallakkottai

Pudukkottai

1325

7155

1590

TN

Kothakkottai

Pudukkottai

975

5265

1170

TN

Neppugai

Pudukkottai

475

2565

570

TN

Periakkottai

Pudukkottai

685

3699

822

TN

Thirukkattalai

Pudukkottai

338

1822

405

TN

Vamban Road

Pudukkottai

590

3186

708

TN

Vengidakulam

Pudukkottai

960

5184

1152

 

 

TOTALS

5706

30 807

6846

Note: In calculating the estimate of eco-active women calculated, it was considered reasonable to assume that there is an average of 1.2 economically active women per rural household. That means one adult woman per household on average, plus one more in every fifth household. In India, households in poverty are more likely to have economically active members (male as well as female). Less-poor and not-poor households are likely to have fewer economically active members.

Table 6. Population Characteristics of the Villages in AP.

State

LocationName

district

Number of Households

Estimated Pop

Estimated number of Eco Active Women

AP

Aaamudalapalli

Prakasam

612

3307

735

AP

Annavaram

Prakasam

362

1957

435

AP

Bandiveligandla

Prakasam

333

1800

400

AP

Erraoabanapalli

Prakasam

450

2430

540

AP

Kampalapadu

Prakasam

950

5130

1140

AP

Lankojanapalli

Prakasam

375

2025

450

AP

Mallavaram

Prakasam

525

2835

630

AP

Thurpu Venkatapuram

Prakasam

500

2700

600

 

 

TOTALS

4107

22 185

4930

In AP, out of the 4930 economically active women, 216 women participated in this study, which represents 4.38% of economically active women. In TN, out of the 6846 economically active women, 146 women participated in this study which represents 2.13% of economically active women


Table 7.
Profile of Economically Active Women in TN and AP.

State

Economically Active
Women

Women
Labourers

Women
Migrating

Women In
Livestock

Women In
Post-Harvest

Women
In Non-Agriculture activities

AP

4930

69.98%

25.91%

64.40%

19.07%

5.50%

TN

6846

40.47%

1.05%

42.09%

0.63%

1.17%

In both AP and TN, most of the women are engaged in agriculture as labourers and secondly are involved in livestock rearing. Noticeably in AP, post-harvest activities are significant. However, it is concerning that a large percentage of the women do migrate in search of a better livelihood.

In the survey villages of AP, 3.04% of the households were headed by women. In TN, 3.61% were headed by women. 


Table 8. Percentage of Women headed households in Study villages.

State

Number of Households

Women Headed
Households

SC

ST

BC

OBC

Other

AP

4108

3.04%

41.47%

5.15%

34.32%

11.41%

7.65%

TN

5705

3.61%

14.78%

0.12%

65.43%

6.44%

13.24%

Note: SC, ST, BC, OBC are scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Backward Caste, other Backward Caste, respectively. These are classifications defined by Central and State laws to ensure positive discrimination in terms of preferred subsidies, exemptions, reservations etc.

Requirements of women in agriculture


The results presented in the section above clearly reveal that the economically active women in the two districts belong to the following categories:

  • Women who work as labourers
  • Women who work with livestock
  • Women who work in post harvest activities

Under this situation, all programmes offered by govt, NGOs and private sector should be aligned to meeting the requirements of these women, so that these could contribute to their livelihood activities and income.

Estimating the supply of programmes for meeting the needs of women in agriculture

Types of Programmes on Offer in TN and AP


The number and types of programmes currently being implemented in each of the project states is shown in the following Tables.

In Tamil Nadu, the major implementation agency is the Department of Agriculture, which runs many programmes in general. The Department has a single programme for women called Tamil Nadu Women in Agriculture, Business and Extension (TANWABE). Under this scheme, 11,000 women were covered. The budget allocated was Rs. 5,000,000, for the year 2007-08 out of which the Department has spent only Rs. 2,200,000 in the current financial year.

The other governmental agencies working for women in Pudukkottai district are the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Mahalir Thittam, which is mainly facilitating the Self Help Groups (SHGs) which cover 1,00,000 women of this district. The Department of Fisheries in this district has specific programmes for fisherwomen such as National Savings cum Relief Scheme. The Department of Sericulture in both the project sites implements Catalytic Development Programmes, which mainly concentrates on women.
The private sector agencies working in the Pudukkottai district are EID Parry limited and Shriram Cirrus.

Table 9. Types of programmes being implemented in TN

State

AgencyType

Agency

Programme
Title

Coverage
Area
Unit

Coverage
Area
Number

Coverage
People
Unit

Coverage
People
Number

Current
Yr
Budget

Current
Yr
Spent

TN

Govt

Department of Fisheries

National Savings cum Relief Scheme

0

Women

300

Rs.0

Rs.0

TN

Govt

Dept.of Agriculture

Catalytic Development Programme

Hectares

0

0

Rs.0

Rs.0

TN

Govt

Dept.of Fisheries

Swarnajayanthi Gram Swarojgar Yojana

0

0

Rs.0

Rs.234,000

TN

Govt

Dept.of Horticulture

Integrated Horticulture Development Scheme and National Horticulture Mission

0

0

Rs.0

Rs.0

TN

Govt

DRDA

Swarnajayanthi Gram Swarozgar Yojana

Villages

498

0

Rs.0

Rs.0

TN

Govt

FTC

Trainings

0

0

Rs.47,000

Rs.47,000

TN

Govt

JDA

Agricultural Technology Management Services

Districts

0

0

Rs.2,200,000

Rs. 2,007,000

TN

Govt

JDA

Integrated Cereal Development Progrmme

Hectares

0

0

Rs.28,000,000

Rs. 21,380,000

TN

Govt

JDA

Integrated Cotton Development Programme

0

0

Rs.0

Rs.0

TN

Govt

JDA

Integrated Scheme on oilseeds, pulses, oilpalm and maize

Districts

0

0

Rs.36,831,000

Rs. 27,494,000

TN

Govt

JDA

TamilNadu Women in Agriculture, Business and Extension

Districts

0

Women

11000

Rs.5,000,000

Rs. 2,200,000

TN

Govt

KVK

Trainings

0

0

Rs.0

Rs.0

TN

Govt

Mahalir Thittam

Facilitation of SHGs

Villages

0

Women

100000

Rs.0

Rs.0

TN

Govt

TANUVAS

Assistance to State for control of Animal Diseases

0

0

Rs.0

Rs.0

TN

Govt

TANUVAS

Kalnadai Pathukappu Thittam

0

0

Rs.0

Rs.0

TN

NGO

CARE

Farmers Federation Societies

Districts

3

0

Rs.0

Rs.0

TN

PvtSect

CORAMANDEL

Awareness programmes

Districts

31

Farmers

0

Rs.50,000

Rs.26,000

TN

PvtSect

Shriram Cirrus

Micro Finance

Villages

0

Persons

0

Rs.0

Rs.0

TOTALS

72 128000

53 388000

Table 10. Types of programmes being implemented in AP

State Agency Type Agency Programme
Title
CoverageArea
Unit
Coverage
Area
Number
Coverage
People
Unit
Coverage
People
Number
Current
Yr
Budget
Current
Yr
Spent

AP

Govt

Commission erate of Rural Development

District Water Mangement Agency

0

0

Rs.0

Rs.0

AP

Govt

Dept.of Agriculture

Rythu Chaitanya Yatra

0

0

Rs. 473,000

Rs. 446,000

AP

Govt

Dept.of Agri

Macro Mangement-SRI and Trainings

0

0

Rs. 546,000

Rs. 184,000

AP

Govt

Dept.of Agri

Mini Mission-II

0

0

Rs.351,000

Rs. 631,000

AP

Govt

Dept.of Agriculture

Adarsa Rythu

0

0

Rs. 4,532,000

Rs. 4, 440,900

AP

Govt

Dept.of Agriculture

Agricultural Technology Management Services

0

0

Rs. ,200,000

Rs. 1, 535,000

AP

Govt

Dept.of Agriculture

Extension and Training of Farmers

Districts

0

Farmers

25000

Rs.765,000

Rs.0

AP

Govt

Dept.of Agriculture

Farm Mechanisation

0

0

Rs.0

Rs.50,000

AP

Govt

Dept.of Agriculture

Full Package Demonstration

Hectares

3600

Farmers

0

Rs. 3,026,000

Rs. 5, 782,000

AP

Govt

Dept.of Agriculture

Integrated Scheme on oilseeds, Pulses ,oilpalm and Maize

0

0

Rs. 606,000

Rs. ,000

AP

Govt

Dept.of Agriculture

Integrated Scheme on Oilseeds, Pulses, oilpalm and Maize

0

0

Rs.41,000

Rs.32,000

AP

Govt

Dept.of Agriculture

Integrated Scheme on Oilseeds,Pulses,Oilpalm and Maize

0

0

Rs.439,000

Rs. 439,000

AP

Govt

Dept.of Agriculture

Organic Farming

0

0

Rs. 1,561,000

Rs. 607,000

AP

Govt

Dept.of Agriculture

Polambadi

Hectares

0

Farmers

0

Rs. 2,582,000

Rs. 2,360,000

AP

Govt

Dept.of Agriculture

Rythu Sadassu

0

0

Rs.15,020

Rs.15,020

AP

Govt

Dept.of Animal Husbandry

Chief Minister's Relief Package

0

Women

0

Rs.0

Rs.0

AP

Govt

Dept.of Animal Husbandry

Chief Minister's Relief Package

0

Women

2000

Rs.0

AP

Govt

Dept.of Animal Husbandry

Oestrus Synchronisation in Buffaloes

Sub Districts

0

Persons

0

Rs.0

Rs.0

AP

Govt

Dept.of Animal Husbandry

Supply of Haryana Breeds

0

Women Headed HH

0

Rs.0

Rs.0

AP

Govt

Dept.of Sericulture

Catalytic Development Programme

Hectares

1240

Women

980

Rs. 35,900,000

Rs. 23, 200,000

AP

Govt

DISTRICT Water Management Agency

Watersheds

0

0

Rs.0

Rs.0

AP

Govt

DoH

Area expansion under plantations of fruit trees

0

0

Rs.0

Rs.0

AP

Govt

DRDA

Indra Kranthi Pathakam

Habi tations

0

Women

500000

Rs.0

Rs.0

AP

Govt

DRDA-IKP

IKP-LABS Training Programme

0

0

Rs.0

Rs.0

AP

Govt

DWMA

National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme

0

0

Rs.0

Rs.0

AP

Govt

Krishi Vigyan Kendra

Trainings

Districts

0

0

Rs.0

Rs.0

AP

NGO

ASSIST

Empowerment of fishermen

0

0

Rs.0

Rs.0

AP

NGO

PRERNA

Integrated Pest Management

0

0

Rs.0

Rs.0

AP

NGO

SNIRD

Mutually Aided Co-operative Thrift Societies

Villages

25

Women

1500

Rs.0

Rs.0

AP

PvtSect

COROMANDEL

Cheyyutha Programme

0

Farmers

0

Rs.0

Rs.0

AP

PvtSect

Godavari Fertlisers

Farmers Meetings

0

Farmers

0

Rs.100,000

Rs.100,000

AP

PvtSect

Shriram-CIRRUS

Micro Finance

Villages

0

0

Rs.0

Rs.0

TOTALS

 

53 137020

40 236920

Note: These figures are fragmented not complete and do not present the whole picture. The project found it extremely difficult even to obtain the basic data. Government officers are unwilling to disclose information on their programmes and operations.  We have used these figures on an “as available, as disclosed basis”, taking no responsibility for completeness or accuracy.

In AP, the implementation agencies include Government, NGOs and private sectors but their density is low. The Department of Agriculture is the major implementing agency in the district. It implements many schemes in general, and it has a Gender Cell, specifically for women, which mainly concentrates on distribution of tools and implements to farm women groups for drudgery reduction in agriculture and to improve the work efficiency. (e.g., seed treating drum, star weeder, cono weeder and improved sickles). This work falls under the banner of ‘Farm Women Empowerment Programme’. The tools/ implements are distributed free to the women groups (100% subsidised). In the year 2006-07, farm implements were supplied to women under this scheme, for an amount of Rs. 1, 28,144.

Private sector, such as the fertilizer companies (e.g., Coramandel and Godavari Fertlisers Limited), is conducting farmers’ meetings at regular intervals to offer their services. The Shriram Cirrus is a micro-finance agency working in Prakasam district extending micro credit to SHGs. The National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) is being implemented by the district Water Management Agency in many villages. The Krishi Vigyan Kendra is offering trainings to the women in the area on various income generation activities (not linked to any market).

The noted NGOs working in the project area related to agriculture are ASSIST, PRERNA, SNIRD and EFFORT. They have their own specific mandates on women development programmes and these programmes have no convergence with the government programmes.


Analysis of availability of programme funds

An analysis of the efficiency and availability of programme funds in the states was calculated. This was done as described below:

In TN’s Pudukkottai district, as per the district statistics database, there are 7,24,300 men and 7,35,301 women. Of these women, approximately half of them are considered economically active. i.e. 3,67,651 women. The budget allotted under various schemes as seen in Table 11  amounted to Rs. 7,21,28,000 and the amount spent so far this year was Rs. 53 88 000. The financial year in India runs from 1 April to 31 March and it applies to most programmes.

Out of the total funds allocated by the government programmes, NGOs and Private sector in Pudukkottai district, it can be calculated: dividing the budget by the population of economically active women, that the amount of money available to each woman in the district is only Rs. 196 per year and the actual amount delivered this year is a meagre Rs 145 so far this year.

In AP’s Prakasam district, as per the district statistics database, there are 1552000 men and 1507000 women. Of these women approximately half of them are considered to be economically active. i.e. 753500 women. The budget allotted under various schemes as seen in Table 11  amounted to Rs. 53,137,020 and the amount spent so far this year was Rs. 40,236,920

Out of the total funds allocated by the government programmes, NGOs and private sector in Prakasam district, it can be calculated: dividing the budget by the population of economically active women, that that the amount of money available to each woman in the district is only Rs. 70 per year. The actual amount delivered this year is a meagre Rs. 53.


Table 11. Budget allocated to women in Prakasam and Pudukkottai

 

State

Dist Bdgt

Bug spent this year

Per econ active women per Yr

Delivered Per Econ active Women thisYr

AP

Rs 53,137,020.00

Rs 40236920

 Rs 70.

Rs. 53

TN

Rs. 72,128,000.00

Rs 53388000

Rs 196.

Rs. 145

Analysis of programmes specifically for women

In Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh, the amount of funds allotted to Programmes specifically for women wasRs 35,900,000 out of which they have spent Rs 23,200,000. By dividing this budget by the number of economically active women in the district i.e. 753500 women, the resultant figure indicates that Rs 48 is available for each economically active women per year and the amount spent so far this year is Rs 31.

In Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu, the budget allotted to Programmes specifically for women was Rs 5,000,000 and the amount spent was Rs 2,200,000. The financial year in India runs from 01 April to 31 March and it applies to most programmes. By dividing this budget by the number of economically active women in the district 36 7651 women, the resultant figure indicates that Rs 14 is available for each women per year and the amount spent so far is Rs 6.

Thus at a glance the figures are shown in Tables 12 and 13 presented below (2007-2008)

Table 12. Women Specific Programme Budgets in Prakasam and Pudukkottai


 

State

Dist

M

F

Bdgt

Spent this year

AP

Prakasam

1552000

1507000

Rs 35,900,000.00

Rs 23,200,000.00

TN

Pudukkottai

724300

735301

Rs 5,000,000.00

Rs 2,200,000.00


Table 13. Budget allocated to women via Women Specific
Programmes in Prakasam and Pudukkottai


 

State

Dist Bdgt

Budg spent this year

Per Woman Per Yr

Delivered Women Per Yr

AP

Rs35,900,000.00

Rs 23200000

Rs. 48

Rs. 31

TN

Rs5,000,000.00

Rs 2200000

Rs. 14

Rs. 6


The results of our study indicate that the men are actually no better off in terms of allocation of budgets. The total funds available in proportion to women are almost as low for men as for women. Even if all programme funds were to be diverted only to women, (which we are not arguing for), the ratios are abysmally low, and there is no hope whatsoever that poverty can be addressed on any significant scale.

 

 

 
     
 
 
 
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