International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Mamta Vyas, Amit Kumar Mishra and Abhishek Pratap Singh

abstract
The study was Conducted in Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh, the research involved 300 randomly selected farm women from twenty villages spanning four blocks. A structured questionnaire was used to collect responses, with decision-making levels assessed across seven major farming domains: land preparation, seed and sowing methods, manure and fertilizer application, irrigation, plant protection, harvesting and thrashing, and grain storage. Findings indicate that while women actively participate in a wide range of agricultural tasks, their involvement in decision-making varies. The highest participation was observed in post-harvest operations such as harvesting, thrashing, and grain storage (mean score: 2.04), while comparatively lower engagement was noted in technical or physically demanding areas like land preparation (1.82) and sowing methods (1.88). About 42.34% of respondents fell under the "low" decision-making category, 32.33% in "medium," and only 25.33% in the "high" category. Despite their substantial contribution to agriculture, women’s roles in key decisions remain limited due to sociocultural barriers, traditional norms, and limited access to education and resources. The study underscores the necessity of empowering rural women through training, education, and inclusive policy-making. Enhancing their decision-making capacity is vital for promoting equitable and efficient agricultural development, ensuring that women not only perform agricultural tasks but also influence strategic decisions affecting farm productivity and rural livelihoods.