Gender Issues in Agri-Horti-Enterprises

Gender is a social construct, while sex is the biological one. The ancient agriculture got off to a start since 11,000 years back contributed by the women who had been in social responsibility of caring the seeds, nurturing the seedlings and processing the biological produce to feed the human civilization and animal communities, domesticated for supporting myriads of social functions. The stepwise regression of the access and entitlement of women to the return of production function in agri-horti arena is a matter of concern, although the contribution made to the purpose has been increasing with the on foot of agri-horti business along the nation and across the world. The proposed book would seriously deal with the better understanding of gender issues in terms of Gender concept, gender analysis, participatory gender planning, drudgery analysis, livelihood cycle and daily routines, gender participation in horticultural and agricultural operations, success stories of enterprises, gender friendly agri-horti enterprises, access and entitlement to social benefits, micro-enterprise management, capacity building and gender mainstreaming, engendering agri-horti enterprises in changing global perspectives, future strategies for gender improvement etc. While 70% of the contribution is made for production and 80% of the contributions made in processing part in both agriculture and horticultural enterprises, the women are still refrained from enjoying the benefits of technology and its application, of enterprise and its profitability. Still, there are serious undulations in different levels and grades of participation, in other words, participation in operation, participation in management and participation in decision making components of the entire system of social production. The proposed book, Gender Issues in Agri-Horti-Enterprises by Prof. S.K. Acharya and Dr. A.B. Sharangi, to our mind and feelings, shall be of immense utility to the scholars, scientists and professionals of social sciences, policy makers, management sciences, development studies and also for professionals and teachers working and engaged in universities, colleges, NGOs, corporate houses, government sectors to cultivate the text of the book for both unique and general purpose. The book has already been pledged to be contributed by eminent professors and scholars of national and international fame.