Constraints Faced by Farm Women in Post-harvest Grain Management Practices in Rural Jharkhand, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2026.624RN04Keywords:
Farm women, Garrett ranking, Grain storage, Post-harvest management, Storage pests, Women extensionAbstract
The study was conducted during 2023 in Deoghar district of Jharkhand to identify and rank constraints faced by farm women in post-harvest grain management. A descriptive research design was used. Mohanpur and Madhupur blocks were selected randomly; two panchayats from each block and two villages from each panchayat were selected through the lottery method. Fifteen farm women directly involved in post-harvest grain handling were selected randomly from each village, making a sample of 120 respondents. Data were collected through personal interview using a pre-tested semi-structured schedule. Nine constraints were ranked by respondents and analysed through Garrett’s ranking technique. Lack of knowledge about management of storage insects and pests ranked first with a Garrett mean score of 73.13. It was followed by lack of knowledge of moisture and temperature during storage (62.82), lack of post-harvest management knowledge among women (59.43) and limited reach to government schemes (55.93). The findings indicate that technical knowledge and institutional access were more serious constraints than time scarcity. Women-centred demonstrations on storage pest diagnosis, moisture control, safe stacking, storage sanitation and scheme linkage are needed to reduce grain losses.
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