Roughly 49% of the rural women borrowers—work in the dairy and animal husbandry industry, which demonstrates the vital role women play in supporting such a crucial sector of the Indian economy.
Mamta, Churu, Rajasthan
Mamta from Churu, Rajasthan, one of Svatantra's customers, was able to successfully set up a cattle business with the aid of a Business Loan. She used the loan to expand her dairy business multifold and improved her financial savings for the benefit of her family. She is one of many such women who engage in animal husbandry in order to support their families and earn a living.
Animal husbandry or the livestock industry is an area of agriculture that deals with raising animals for their meat, fibre, milk, and other derivative products. The history of animal husbandry dates back to 13,000 BC in the Neolithic Revolution when animals were first domesticated and later raised on farms. Today, the livestock sector accounts for one-third of the GVA of the agricultural and related industries and is growing at a rate of over 8%, which is significant for the Indian economy.
Along with contributing to the Indian economy and providing nutrition to millions of people, activities related to animal husbandry, dairying, and fishing are important sources of income, particularly for women and small, low-income farmers.
Having established the significance of this industry, let's now examine the essential and indispensable part that women play in maintaining it.
Last year, we saw that roughly 49% of the female borrowers—worked in the dairy and animal husbandry industry. The figures are not only substantial but also demonstrate the vital role women play in supporting such a crucial sector of the Indian economy.
In another interesting study conducted in 2020 in various small towns of the Bikaner district of Rajasthan, some of the general findings were that rural women primarily participated in the overall operations of the dairy and animal businesses. Women actively participated in each activity, ranging from cleaning animal sheds, to feeding the animals, milking cattle, looking after sick animals, harvesting crops, making cow dung cakes, etc., while men were observed to be more involved in the selling of the produce. This goes to show the unparallel role of women in the overall functioning of the industry.
Therefore, women's significant contribution merits greater appreciation. The roles of women in supporting the dairy and animal husbandry industries are becoming more important as a result of rapid urbanisation and an increase in the number of men moving to metropolitan areas.
To truly acknowledge women’s role in this sector, they need to be financially and resourcefully equipped. Businesses like Svatantra should therefore acknowledge the contribution of these women borrowers, equip them with funding and financial training, and create a more inclusive role.
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