Women's employment in Bangladesh agriculture: composition, determinants and scope

Abstract

Gender composition of labour use and factors determining demand and supply of female labour in crop production is examined using survey data from 14 villages in two agro-ecological regions of Bangladesh. The share of women in labour use ranges between 11-18% in foodgrain (rice and wheat) and 14-48% in non-cereal (highest for vegetables) production. Incidence of female labour hire is very low and varies directly with land size classes while supply from family varies inversely. Cultivation of diverse crops (local and modern varieties of rice, jute, oilseeds and vegetables), education as well as women's ownership of land increases demand for hired female labour. On the other hand, membership in non-governmental organisation and women's ownership of land decreases supply of female labour from the family. Also, sharp regional variation exists in hiring female labour. A decentralised crop diversification policy, gender sensitive educational program as well as institutional arrangement to increase women's access to land would promote women's gainful employment. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.