Small-scale dairy farming and women’s empowerment: insights from Pabna district in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study focused on the effects of rural women's involvement in dairy farming as a means of eradicating poverty in Bangladesh's rural communities for the empowerment of women in some selected areas of the Pabna district of Bangladesh. Dairy farming is a critical component of the agricultural sector and women's participation in the sector has increased in recent years. To illustrate the effect of rural women in social empowerment, the sample was chosen from the households of the Pabna district that were actively involved in dairy farming. 50 households from the study were randomly selected for data collection. To illustrate the frequency distribution at various category levels of variables, straightforward percentages were produced. Rural women were able to boost their self-esteem, expand their social networks, and eventually increase their level of empowerment through small-scale dairying, which also gave them more control over their family and personal care decisions. Another purpose of the study was to investigate the causes of this trend as well as the advantages that women experience from it. Using a combination of field surveys, interviews, and literature review, the study analyzed the gender dynamics of dairy farming and identified best practices for promoting women's empowerment in the sector. The findings suggest that dairy farming can serve as a viable livelihood option for women in Pabna, providing them with opportunities for income generation and improving household food security. Furthermore, increased participation in dairy farming has led to improved gender equality and social inclusion, highlighting the sector's potential for promoting women's empowerment in the region. Consequently, the expansion of small-scale dairying into different rural areas of Bangladesh is likely to contribute to the empowerment of these women and combat poverty.