Decision Making of Farm Women in Chilli Cultivation: A Correlational Study, in Telangana, India

Abstract

Women play a vital role in agricultural production, particularly in labour-intensive crops such as chilli. However, socioeconomic and cultural factors often restrict their participation in farm decision-making. The present study was conducted in Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana to assess the decision-making ability of farm women involved in chilli cultivation and to examine the factors associated with their decision-making behaviour. A random sample of 120 farm women was selected from eight villages in two mandals. Primary data were collected using a structured interview schedule and analysed through frequency, percentage and correlation analyses. The results revealed that 51.6 per cent of the respondents had a medium level of decision-making, followed by 38.3 per cent with a low level and 10.1 per cent with a high level. Farm women participated in several cultivation operations, including nursery raising, transplanting, intercultural operations, plant protection and harvesting. However, their participation in strategic decisions related to input procurement, credit, marketing and technology adoption remained moderate. Education, marital status, social participation, mass media exposure, scientific orientation and economic motivation showed positive and highly significant relationships with decision-making behaviour. Age, family size, family type, landholding, annual income, occupation and extension participation showed non-significant relationships. The findings indicate that strengthening women's education, access to information, social participation and exposure to scientific agricultural practices may improve their participation in chilli cultivation decisions.