Unearthing Gender Dynamics: Dalit Women and the Feminization of Agriculture in Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

The phenomenon of ‘feminization of agriculture’ denotes the increasing involvement of women in agricultural activities. The impact of this trend on women can be positive if they gain decision-making power and control over resources. This study deals with Dalit women involved in agriculture-related work. The study was carried out in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh to comprehend the phenomenon of ‘feminization of agriculture’. The study captures the lived experiences of Dalit women and argues that the ‘feminization of agriculture’ is confined solely to the amount of farm-related work performed by women. This has no necessary relationship with their empowerment; rather, their growing presence in agriculture appears to be strongly related to several indicators of poverty. While certain vegetable crops are becoming more feminized, the apple economy has remained predominantly male-dominated. There is a feminization of ‘subsistence farming’ and ‘masculinization of commercial farming’. The study concludes that Dalit women are still under-represented in decision-making processes related to production, land ownership, access to credit, control over income and the benefits of government schemes related to agriculture. These critical aspects of agriculture are still dominated by men, indicating that the ‘feminization of agriculture’ has not resulted in women’s empowerment in agriculture.