Role of women gram panchayat members in agricultural development in Samastipur district of Bihar

Introduction

The empowerment of women and their active participation in governance are pivotal to achieving sustainable development and social equity. In India, the Gram Panchayat system represents a fundamental component of grassroots democracy, designed to ensure that local governance is responsive to the needs and aspirations of rural populations. Established under the 73rd Amendment to the Indian Constitution in 1992, this system provides for the decentralized administration of rural areas, with the Gram Panchayat serving as the basic unit of local governance. This amendment was a significant step towards increasing local self-governance and promoting inclusive participation in decision-making processes. Women's involvement in Gram Panchayats (GPs) is a critical area of study, reflecting broader themes of gender equality and the role of women in local governance. The 73rd Amendment mandates that onethird of the seats in Panchayats be reserved for women, including the chairpersons of these bodies. This provision aims to enhance women's representation in local governance, thereby addressing historical gender imbalances and promoting their contributions to community development (Nanda, 2000) [6] . Despite these constitutional provisions, the effective participation of women in Gram Panchayats presents a complex interplay of opportunities and challenges. Women members often face structural barriers, including sociocultural constraints, limited access to resources, and inadequate support systems. These factors can impact their ability to contribute effectively to governance and development initiatives. On the other hand, women in these roles also bring unique perspectives and approaches to local governance, potentially leading to more inclusive and equitable development outcomes (Sinha, 2005) [7] .

Significance of the study

Understanding the role of women in Gram Panchayats is crucial for policy formulation and implementation aimed at enhancing their effectiveness and ensuring gender-equitable governance. By highlighting both successes and ongoing challenges, this research seeks to provide insights that could inform future reforms and support mechanisms, ultimately contributing to more inclusive and effective local governance in India.

Research methodology

The present study was conducted in Samastipur district of Bihar state which was selected through purposive sampling www.extensionjournal.com method. There are total 20 blocks in Samastipur district of Bihar out of that Hasanpur and Pusa were selected through random sampling method. Women gram panchayat were the universe for the study. Selection of respondents was done by random sampling method and 6 respondents (1 gram pradhan and 5 ward members) were selected from each identified village to make a total sample size of 120. Interview schedule was prepared to collect the required information, for that several questions and statements were prepared. The respondents were interviewed personally, either at their home or at enterprise site. The actual work of data collection was completed in the month of January & February 2024. After establishing report, questions were asked one by one and their responses were recorded. All possible cares were taken to maintain a favourable situation and to get unbiased opinion from the respondents. Descriptive research design was followed. For the analysis of data Arithmetic mean, Standard deviation, Frequency, Percentage, Minimum and Maximum value were used. Data furnished in table 1 reveals that majority of respondents are middle-aged, educated up to the graduate level, and predominantly involved in farming, often combined with business or service. Land holding and annual income levels are largely moderate, and most respondents belong to large, joint families. Information sources, mass media exposure, and scientific orientation are primarily at medium levels. Risk orientation and economic motivation are also predominantly medium, reflecting a balanced approach among respondents in these areas. Similar finding is also reported by Bhagwanrao (2014) [2] . www.extensionjournal.com 2015) [1] . The majority of Gram Panchayat members exhibit a medium level of role performance in agricultural and rural development activities due to a combination of factors influencing their effectiveness. While these members play a crucial role in local governance and development, their performance is often moderated by constraints such as limited resources, insufficient training, and bureaucratic challenges. Many members, who typically have backgrounds in agriculture or other local occupations, may not possess specialized knowledge or technical skills necessary for advanced development projects. Additionally, the implementation of agricultural and rural development activities often requires coordination with various stakeholders and adherence to complex regulations, which can impact their ability to perform at a high level. The balancing act of addressing diverse community needs while managing limited resources can lead to a medium level of performance, where members are able to achieve moderate success but face ongoing challenges in fully optimizing their role. Consequently, the medium level of role performance reflects a pragmatic approach, characterized by efforts to improve conditions within the constraints of their operational environment. www.extensionjournal.com

Results and Discussion

Conclusion

It is concluded that most respondents are middle-aged, educated up to the graduate level, and primarily engaged in farming, often combined with business or service. holding and income levels are generally moderate, and respondents mostly come from large, joint families. Information sources, mass media exposure, and scientific orientation are at medium levels. Risk orientation and economic motivation also tend to be medium, indicating a balanced approach. Family type and risk orientation were not significantly related to the role performance of women Gram Panchayat members in agricultural development activities. The study concludes that 55.83% of women Gram Panchayat members demonstrate a medium level of role performance in agricultural development, showing substantial involvement but also room for improvement. About 28.34% have low performance, indicating obstacles that need addressing, while 15.83% exhibit high performance, reflecting their effective contributions. Women Gram Panchayat members are crucial in distributing agricultural inputs, facilitating access to loans, enhancing storage facilities, generating employment through MGNREGA, creating infrastructure, and organizing farmer training. Despite their important role in rural development, there is a need for increased support and empowerment. Addressing performance gaps and strengthening their capacities can enhance their impact and improve local governance. Future policies should focus on equipping them with the tools and support necessary to optimize their contributions and drive positive community change.

References

1. Dedun VS, Naik RM, Gamit PS. Constraints faced by Gram Panchayat members in performing their role for village development. Int J Agric Sci. 2015;8(21):13711372.
2. Nanda P. Empowering women through local governance: The role of Gram Panchayats in India. J Rural Dev. 2000;19(2):123-134.
3. Sinha P. The gendered dynamics of Panchayati Raj institutions: A study of women's political participation in rural India. Indian J Polit Sci. 2005;66(3):411-423.