GENDER ROLE IN COMMERCIAL VEGETABLE FARMING AND HOUSEHOLD INCOME IN BIRENDRANAGAR MUNICIPALITY OF NEPAL

Vegetable production plays an important role in food security, poverty reduction and household income. Although vegetables are an important emerging cash crop for the agricultural sector in Nepal. The study was conducted to examine the contribution of CVF in household income, gender involvement, extension services and problem associated with CVF in Birendranagar Municipality ward number 14 (Gadhi) and 15 (Ratu) Surkhet, Nepal in 2018. The purposive sampling method was followed to select the respondents. A total of 90 respondents were selected from ward number fourteen (n=45) and fifteen (n=45) respectively. A pre-tested and standard interview schedule was employed for household survey to collect primary information. And various available documents of the governmental and non-governmental organizations were used for secondary information. The findings of the study revealed that vegetable farming has major contribution in household income. Joint decision making were done in crop selection and marketing by households. However, technology related and direct money related activities were decided more by male. Most of the activities related to commercial vegetable farming are performed jointly. However, laborious activities like nursery bed preparation, field preparation were done by male and tedious works like manure mixing; intercultural operations were done by female. Female farmers had lesser access to agriculture extension services. Commercial vegetable farming was not new enterprise for them and most of the farmers were highly motivated by their neighbor. Majority of youths were engaged in commercial vegetable farming and all farmers were satisfied with this job. Thus, with commercial vegetable farming, gender role had been changing overtime and it has created a good employment opportunities and aided household income. So, with proper management of the roles of gender, inputs and trainings enhance the commercial vegetable farming in study area.