Harnessing technology for eliminating the drudgery of rural women engaged in rice production, processing and utilization
Srivastava, J.C.
Women in rice farming Proceedings of a conference on Women in Rice Farming Systems, the International Rice Research Institute, PO Box 933, Manila, Philippines, 26-30 September 1983: 405-418
1985
Document Number: 248457
The paper discusses the extensive role of women in rice processing in India: parboiling, pounding and dehusking and preparing rice products for home consumption and sale. It also presents examples of appropriate technologies which can both raise overall productivity and improve the economic conditions of the rural poor. It is concluded that technological research in India has indicated a vast potential for improving the entire post-harvest activities to derive optimum output, value adding, quality improvement of end product and byproducts, law cost of production and environment protection. Wherever provided, appropriate technology produces a better response to development. Agro-based industries need to make an integrated and concentrated effort to upgrade the linked technologies compatible with available agro-materials. The social cost-benefit accrues with the use of by-products and wastes at the source of their availability. Such an approach may also help to check the diminishing village industries.