Livestock production
Livestock are an integral part of the farming systems and are generally kept within
homestead. It is an important component of home garden. Livestock management is also a
responsibility of both genders. From the analysis, it is revealed that in Gulmi, female were
more responsible for livestock management activities in rich (49%) and poor (48%)
categories but male were more responsible in medium (47%) category. Similarly, in
Rupandehi, female were more responsible in rich (51%) and poor (52%) categories of
indigenous group and rich (49%) and medium (49%) categories of migrant group while, male
were more responsible in medium (51%) category of indigenous group but in case of poor
categories of migrant group both gender were equally involved. In overall livestock care and
management, female performed more work in Gulmi and indigenous group of Rupandehi
while, male performed more work in migrant group of Rupandehi. Gender study by UNDP
(2002); found that livestock and poultry in the homestead are entirely managed by women to
supplement the family diet and to earn extra income.
Although the word gender reflects both male and female, more emphasis has been given to
female farmers because of their social limitations. They have been neglected for a long time
despite their critical role in home garden management. Women in rural Nepal have always
been intimately involved in the agricultural production process. Traditionally, a broad division
of labour existed, in which field based agricultural work is done by men while women are
responsible for all activities carried out within the homestead. Although there have been
some changes in this rigid gender division, women continue to carry out diverse activities in
homestead agriculture. Past studies show that female and male have distinct, but not
necessarily rigid, tasks and responsibilities, which often vary by crop or activity. Lartey et al.,
(2002) indicated that the role-played by male and female in agricultural activities varies from
region to region and between different ethnic groups within the same region. A study
conducted by Hodel et al., (1999) on the role of gender in home gardens of Vietnam found
that, the division of labour of female and male household member for the different activities
does not show great differences. Male as well as female works in all segments of the home
gardens or go for wage labour. In Gulmi, both male and female were more or less equally
responsible in overall home garden management, but in case of Rupandehi female were
more responsible than man in indigenous group. Both male and female were more or less
equally responsible in overall home garden management. This indicated that in mid hill area
there are not much differences in division of labour within home garden management in all
categories and in terai area there are differences in division of labour within home garden
management with respect to ethnic group.
Decision making pattern
Vegetable production
Regarding decisions related to vegetable production and management within home gardens,
it was evident that female take main role in decision making in rich category of Gulmi and all
categories of indigenous and migrants group of Rupandehi (Table 2). In the medium
category farmers of Gulmi both gender equally made decisions. Children (16%) of poor
category of migrants group in Rupandehi also had limited role in decision-making regarding
vegetable production and management. Acharya and Bennet, (1981) and Bajaracharya,
(1994) found that in vegetable production, women take 90 per cent of decisions, whereas in
fruit production men make most decision.
Fruit production
Farmers reported that in Gulmi, men are main decision maker in all wealth categories as
they are responsible for management of fruit plants. Where as, female mainly decide in rich
and poor categories among indigenous group of Rupandehi. In medium categories of
indigenous group both male and female makes decision equally on fruit production and
management. Similarly, in migrant group male makes decisions in rich (53%) and medium