ROLE OF WOMEN IN SERICULTURE- A STUDY IN COIMBATORE DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU

Abstract

Women are involved in sericulture from host plant cultivation to weaving, dyeing & printing of fabrics, thereby deriving higher returns. The sector involves silk rearing activities in indoor with low requirement of physical energy and manual labour. Silkworm rearing demands soft skills, delicacy, care and dedication which are an inherent quality of women. It provides jobs at doorsteps and avoids long travelling from the dwelling places and for women involved in these activities can easily take up child rearing along with other household activities also. This study is undertaken to understand the share of women in cocoon production and the problems faced by them in production and marketing. A sample of 120 sericulture farmers from Coimbatore district was considered for the study. This article concludes with some suggestion to encourage more women in sericulture.