Barriers Hindering Tribal Women’s Participation in Agriculture in Angul District, Odisha

Abstract

Tribal women contributed extensively to agricultural labour in India’s tribal belts, yet their participation remained constrained by social, economic, technological, environmental, and institutional barriers that were rarely studied systematically at the district level. The present study was conducted in Angul district of Odisha during 2024- 25 to identify and rank the constraints faced by tribal women in agricultural participation. Four blocks (Chhendipada, Athamalik, Pallahada and Kaniha) were purposively selected, and sixteen villages were chosen at random, from which 160 tribal women respondents were drawn. Data were collected through a pre-tested structured interview schedule covering ten constraints under five broad dimensions and were analysed using the Garrett Ranking Technique. The results showed that lack of awareness about agriculture’s importance (mean score 87.76) ranked as the most severe constraint, followed by inadequate training on modern farming practices and market trends (83.32). Economic and market constraints, patriarchal social structures, and unclear government policies followed in order of severity, while environmental and infrastructural constraints were rated comparatively less severe. The findings offered extension functionaries and policymakers an evidence-based basis for designing targeted interventions for tribal women in agriculture.