Contrary to the common perception about women in India, a large percentage of them work (Women of India, 2006). The National data collection agencies accept the fact that there is a serious under-estimation of women's contribution as workers. However, there are far fewer women in the paid workforce than there are men (Kalyani and Kumar 2001). In urban India Women have impressive number in the workforce and they are at par with their male counter parts in terms of wages, position at the work place (Singh and Hoge 2010). In rural India, agriculture and allied industrial sectors employ as much as 89.5% of the total female labour (Asia's women, 2006). In overall farm production, women's average contribution is estimated at 55% to 66% of the total labour. According to a 1991 World Bank report, women accounted for 94% of total employment in dairy production in India. Women constitute 51% of the total employed in forest-based small-scale enterprises (Asia's women, 2006).

Actuality, the social, economic and cultural conditions of the area determine women’s participation in home and farm activities. The nature and extent of women’s involvement in agriculture, no doubt, varies greatly from region to region and within a region, their involvement varies among different farming systems, castes, classes and socio- economic status. But regardless of these variations, there is hardly any activity in agricultural production, except ploughing in which women are not actively involved (Swaminathan, 1985). In some of the farm activities like processing and storage, women predominate so strongly that men workers are numerically insignificant.

However, the Indian Himalayan region (IHR) displays a different picture in land use pattern and its dependency on agricultural land. The Himalayan people have traditionally practiced integrated agriculture, balancing cultivation, agro-forestry, animal husbandry and forestry. Mountain geography and inaccessibility have helped maintain agro-biodiversity; yet commercial agriculture is not as high-yielding and profitable as in the plains. Here forest is the major land use pattern, which covers over 52% of total reporting area followed by wastelands and agricultural land. However, the dependency on its limited arable land is marginally higher in the IHR as cultivators and agricultural labourers together comprise about 59% of total workforce in the region (Nandy and Samal, 2005).

Some historians believe that it was woman who first domesticated crop plants and thereby initiated the art and science of farming. While men went out hunting in search of food, women started gathering seeds from the native flora and began cultivating those of interest from the point of view of food, feed, fodder, fiber and fuel (Prasad and Singh 1992).Women have protected the health of the soil through organic recycling and promoted crop security through the maintenance of varietal diversity and genetic resistance. Therefore, without the total intellectual and physical participation of women, it will not be possible to popularize alternative systems of land management to shifting cultivation, arrest gene and soil erosion, and promote the care of the soil and the health of economic plants and farm animals.

1.2 Integrated Farming

Integrated farming system (IFS) or integrated agriculture is a commonly and broadly used word to explain a more integrated approach to farming as compared to existing monoculture approaches. It refers to agricultural systems that integrate livestock and crop production and may sometimes be known as Integrated Bio-systems.

1.2.1 Bio-digesters in an integrated farming system

The use of tubular plastic bio-digesters for anaerobic digestion to convert organic matter to biogas and effluent (Boteroand Preston 1995) is a very simple and practical system that is flexible and uses low-cost materials (Preston and Rodríguez 2002; Mette 1998; Bui Xuan An et al 1997) when compare to other types of bio-digester (Mikkle et al 1996; Timothy and Gohl 1996). The effluent from the bio-digester is a replacement for chemical fertilizer for use on land crops, or in ponds for production of water plants and fish (Preston 2000; Barbara 2000).

The flow diagram of an integrated farming system (Source: Preston 2000)

The result of the anaerobic digestion is the production of a biogas mixture of methane and carbon dioxide. The composition of biogas varies depending on the raw materials, the organic load applied, the time and temperature. On average, it is about equivalent to the following: methane (CH4) 55-65%, carbon dioxide (CO2) 35-45%, nitrogen (N2) 0-3%, hydrogen (H2) 0-1% and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) 0-1%. Biogas is about 20 percent lighter than air and has an ignition temperature in the range of 650 to 750 ºC. It is an odourless and colourless biogas that burns with a blue flame similar to that of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) (Sathianathan 1975). The effluent from the digester has from 60 to 80% less BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand) compared with the input material (Arthur 2000). It has been shown to be a high quality fertilizer (Preston and Rodríguez 2002; Le Ha Chau 1998a,b).

In research in Cambodia, it was observed that with daily loading of 5 kg manure solids, one cubic meter of digester capacity (liquid volume) would produce about 1.61 m³ biogas daily (San Thy et al 2003). Thus for a family of 6 in the developing world, digester systems of liquid capacity of 4 to 6 m³ can meet the daily biogas requirements. A similar conclusion was reached by Luitweiler (No date).Along with household consumption this energy can be used to light livestock sheds as well as pond sites.

2. Farming strategies adopted by the Agriculture Department in the state

The state has a target of converting it into a fully organic state by 2015. In this regard, the Department has started a lot of measures to replace the chemical fertilizers by using bio fertilizers and organic manures. Effective Microorganism (EM) technology in production of compost and bokashi and bio-pesticide is being propagated among the farmers in technical collaboration with MAPLE ORTECH, Dehradun to give boost to organic farming in Sikkim. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) technology is being practiced to control the pests. Predators are produced in Sikkim State IPM Lab and are released in the farmers’ field as and when required. The Government has set up a livelihood school also on organic farming at Tadong, Gangtok .This is first of its’ type in the country. Participants will be given 3 months training on organic farming processes. Trained youths will go to villages and assist farmers at village level. Popularization of HYV seeds, production of quality seeds, mixed cropping, pest management through Farmers Field Schools (FFS), recycling of farm waste for compost production, soil reclamation by liming, seed treatment campaign and integrated farming through watershed approach are some of the strategies adopted by the Department in the state.

Mechanization has varied connotations. While in the developed world it tends to be synonymous to automation but in developing countries, like India especially in hilly areas, mechanization means any improved tool, implement, machinery or structure that assists in enhancement of workers’ output, multiplies the human effort, supplements or substitutes human labour, avoids drudgery or stresses that adversely affect human mental activities leading to errors, imprecision and hazards and eventually loss of efficiency. It also means automation and controls that assure quality, hygiene. Agricultural mechanization in a limited sense relates to production agriculture.

Farming with machinery in Sikkim is almost nonexistent. However Power operated Thresher, Hand Winnower, Hand Maize Sheller, Iron Plough and other gender friendly machineries have been introduced on experimental basis. Sprinkler and drip irrigation has been taken up on demonstration basis. Agriculture in the state is mainly rain fed. Farm mechanization here in Sikkim is meant for increasing the production and productivity, comfort and safety, return and profitability to farmer.

3. Demographic Features

According to (Census 2011), Sikkim has a total population of 607 688 persons (which is 0.05 percent of total population of India) of which 321661are males and 286 027 are females. From the year 1991-01 to 2001-11, decadal population variation recorded was 33.07 to 12.36 percentages, while India’s figure for the same is 17.64. In 2011 rural population consists of 480,981 people while urban population consists of 59,870 people. Sex ratio (females per 1000 males) also known as Gender Ratio, in the same decade has shown a little improvement i.e. from 875 to 889 but still lags behind India’s, which is 940. Though population density per sq. km. has increased in the same decade from 76 to 86 but is much less than national population density per sq. km. which is equal to 382. Literacy rate in 2001 was 68.81 which rose to 82.20 in 2011 which is above national average of 74.04 percent. This decade has seen an increase in male literacy rate from 76.04 to 87.30 as against all India’s rate which is 82.14 and female literacy rate also shows increased figures i.e. from 60.41 to 76.43 as against all India’s rate of 65.46.

4. Research methodology

4.1 Universe or population

The universe or population for the study consisted of total number of married females in rural areas who are employed in farming in the state of Sikkim. This formed the pivotal point of the present research.

4.2 Sampling method for selected area of study

Multi-stage stratified random sampling technique of probability method is used to distribute the population into circles, revenue blocks and villages, then a combination of Judgment and Convenience sampling techniques of non-probability methods is decided upon for this study. Non-probability methods are of three types, namely Judgment sampling, Convenience sampling and Quota sampling. The state has only four districts; so, all of them have been taken for the study. Initially, under the multistage stratified random sampling technique- a selection of a tentative list of circles and revenue blocks from all the four districts was made followed by a selection of villages to be visited at the second and a selection of respondents at the final stage. A final list of the respondents from different farm households was prepared based on convenience and their accessibility to the researcher by stratified random sampling.

4.3 Sample size

Rural areas from all 4 districts of Sikkim were selected. As is clear from the table 1 below, though North district contains maximum area of the State i.e. almost 60%, but it holds only 7-8% of the population. On the contrary East district contains only 13% area of the State, but it holds maximum i.e. 45% of the population. So, for this study, maximum no. of females for data collection is from East and minimum are from North. Here, the size of the sampling female farmers from each district is neither proportional to the minimum size of the sampling female farmers of the district nor in the same ratio as is the percentage ratio of each district to the total population of the state. But the sample size of each district is just an indicative of the reason of taking maximum/minimum sampling units from that area.

A data collected from a total of 24 circles from all the four districts in Sikkim has been analyzed. The district wise i.e. (East, West, North and South) distribution of circles selected is 6, 6, 4 and 8 respectively. A total of 80 females of farming community from East, 30 from North and 60 each from West and South districts have been interviewed. Data for 115 samples (50% of 230), was collected by the researcher herself, while for rest of 115 samples (40, 30, 15 and 30 from East, West, North and South respectively), was collected with the active help and participation of all the village heads. Data thus collected from 230 married females in rural areas in the state of Sikkim, employed in farming sector has become the basis of the Primary Data analysis in this Study.

4.4 Data collection and analysis

In order to collect qualitative data, three group discussion sessions were arranged separately in three villages (Syari, Sichey and Rawtey rumtek); each group contained 10 participants. During these group sessions, several open-ended questions were asked from the respondents in order to collect deeper information about their accessibility to resources and their participation in different farms and the related activities along with many hidden facts and factors. Based on this information, the research instrument i.e. questionnaire containing dichotomous, multiple choice and open end questions was designed and a pre-test was conducted with 18 respondents for its necessary modification. It was then translated into Nepali also for the convenience of the farm population. Primary data was collected by researcher by visiting the farming females of rural area in Sikkim, using questionnaires. The primary data was collected between March to September 2011 from all districts of Sikkim.

Books, journals, reports and internet documents were used as secondary sources of data supporting or supplementing the empirical findings of the study.

4.5 Data analysis

Data has been analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) and some descriptive statistics, such as percentage, mean, standard deviation (SD) were used to interpret the data.

There is only one sample in the study. Ordinal and nominal level data can be analyzed using parametric statistics; therefore One-Sample t-test for inferential interpretation of the data has been run to understand the nature of relation between the variables. For the inferences of the hypotheses, Information from literature survey is taken to support some assumptions.Below are given the few hypotheses.

For Female Farmers Views aboutDoing Anything except Agriculture–

Hypothesis Statement –

More farming females of rural area would like to do anything except agriculture.

Ho –no more number of sample female farmers would like to do anything except agriculture.

Ha– more number of sample female farmers would like to do anything except agriculture.

For Female Farmers Views to Opt for any Entrepreneurial Activity

Hypothesis Statement –

More farming females of rural area would like to opt for any entrepreneurial activity.

Ho–no more number of sample female farmers would like to opt for any entrepreneurial activity.

Ha -more number of sample female farmers would like to opt for any entrepreneurial activity.

To test these hypotheses, one-sample t-test has been conducted. The t column displays the observed t statistic for each sample, calculated as the ratio of the mean difference divided by the standard error of the sample mean.

The column labeled Sig. (2-tailed) displays a probability from the t distribution with 229 degrees of freedom df, calculated as (n-1). The value listed is the probability of obtaining an absolute value greater than or equal to the observed t statistic, if the difference between the sample mean and the test value is purely random. The Mean Difference is obtained by subtracting the test value, from each sample mean. The Mean Difference is obtained by subtracting the test value (which is 5 here in this table), from each sample mean. Test statistic 5 represents balanced views of both (positive and negative). More than 5 mean, their views are more inclined towards positive side and less than 5 means, their views are more inclined towards negative side.

The 95% Confidence Interval of the Difference provides an estimate of the boundaries between which the true mean difference lies in 95% of all possible random samples of 230 females. At this level if value of ‘t’ is less than 1.96 and is also negative, then our null hypothesis is accepted else alternate hypothesis is accepted.

5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

Assessment of Female Farmer’s Views

A and B in the table-2 and table 3 - represent-Doing anything except agriculture (A) and Views to opt for any entrepreneurial activity (B).Degree of answer for(A) and (B) in tables-4 and table-6 ranges from 1 to 10. 1 indicates strongly negative and 10 indicate strongly positive feeling. Whereas, degree level 5 indicates moderate feeling for the question. More than 5 means their views are more inclined towards positive side and less than 5 means, their views are more inclined towards negative side.

5.1 Views about doing anything except agriculture (A)

·Parameter Details:

Statistics for doing anything except agriculture (A) of Females Farmers is shown in the Table-2 above. From the table we find that there are 230 valid scores and a value of mean it is 7.57. Standard deviation is 2.451 and standard error of mean 0.162.

Extent of Feeling for Doing Anything except Agriculture

Table -4 shows that02% of the respondents strongly feel negative for doing anything except agriculture. About 12% of them rated 5 for their view and 06% rated it 4. 10% rated their view for this question as 6. 30% of them stronglyfeel positive for doing anything except agriculture. Since 75% of the respondents rated their view for this question above 5. This shows the inclination of the view towards positive side. So, we can say that most of the female farmers are interested for doing anything except agriculture.

Inferential analysis for Views about Doing anything except agriculture

From the table 3 we find that confidence intervals lie entirely above 0.0 and also it is positive. The value of ‘t’ for the Females Farmers view about given a chance, whether they would like to do anything except agriculture is 15.923 which is higher than 1.96, mean difference column for it also shows positive values. This is further confirmed by significance levels which are 0.00 and also by confidence intervals, both limits of which lie entirely above 0.0 for it. We can safely say that null hypothesis for this view is rejected and thus alternate hypothesis for it is accepted, which says that more number of sample female farmers would like to do anything except agriculture. Further, we conclude it by saying that significantly more number of sample female farmers on an average are interested in and hold the view of doing anything except agriculture.

5.2 Views to opt for any entrepreneurial activity (B)

Parameter Details:

Statistics for views to opt for any entrepreneurial activity (B), of Females Farmers is shown in the Table-2 above. From the table we find that there are 230 valid scores and value of mean for it is 8.12. Standard deviation is 2.064 and standard error of mean is 0.136.

Table-5 depicts the frequency of various options sample female farmers selected. It shows that 43% females have opted for poultry, 09% females have opted for fish farming, 39% females have opted for cow, 05% females have opted for silkworm/honey bee and 04% females have opted for others.

Table-2-One-Sample Statistics
	N	Mean	Std. Deviation	Std. Error Mean
Q.6A	230	7.57	2.451	0.162
Q.6B	230	8.12	2.064	0.136

Entrepreneurial Activity

Table -6 shows that only 02% of the respondents strongly feel negative to opt for any entrepreneurial activity (B). 05% of them rated 5 for their view and 05% rated it 4. 06% rated their view for this question as 6. 33% of them stronglyfeel positive to opt for any entrepreneurial activity (B). Since only 13% of the respondents rated their view for this question up to 5. This shows the inclination of the view towards positive side. So, we can say that most of the female farmers do feel to opt for any entrepreneurial activity (B).

Reasons Given by Sample Female Farmers for Such Options:

(a) Cow

(i) Since childhood, familiar with such type of work and easy also.

(ii) Helps in integrated farming. (Benefits: milk products and manure).

(iii) Easy to maintain and helps in making money also.

(iv) Yak can be used as carrying loads also.

(b) Poultry

(i) It is easy to maintain and helps in making money also.

(c) Fish Farming

(i) There is abundance of water in the area.

(d) Silkworms/Honeybees

(i) It is an easy farming with low investment, and helps making money also.

(e) Others

(i)Want to run a hotel for village tourism.

(ii)Want to run a stall next to construction sites for selling snacks and tea etc.

Inferential analysis for Their Views to Opt For any Entrepreneurial Activity

From the table 3 we find that confidence intervals lie entirely above 0.0 and also it is positive. The value of ‘t’ for the Females Farmers view to opt for any entrepreneurial activity (B) is 22.903 which is higher than 1.96, mean difference column for it also shows positive values. This is further confirmed by significance levels which are 0.00 and also by confidence intervals, both limits of which lie entirely above 0.0 for it. We can safely say that null hypothesis for this view is rejected and thus alternate hypothesis for it is accepted, which says that more number of sample female farmers would like to opt for any entrepreneurial activity.

Further, we conclude it by saying that significantly more number of sample female farmers on an average are interested in and hold the view to opt for any entrepreneurial activity.

5.3 Integrated Low Investment Rain-Water Harvesting

To remove the problem of food security also to improve the socio-economic condition of the female farmersof the study area low investment but high productive rain water harvesting in dry land is recommendedand shown in the model as well as in the flow diagram. For this purpose, drought and pest resistant native crops which require less water can be grown in the farms. In addition rain water can be harnessed by digging small ponds/pits. Azolla (that will thrive with very little care) can be grown in these water bodies. Azolla grows very quickly in ponds and buckets, and it makes an excellent fertilizer (green manure) and garden mulch. In these ponds fish can be grown. Apparently fish and shrimp relish the Azolla. In fact, Azolla was grown for fish food and water purification at the Biosphere II project in Arizona (a 2.5 acre glass enclosure simulating an outer space greenhouse). Azolla is very useful feed for cattle as well as for poultry also, as it increases the milk yield in cattle and egg laying in chicken. Azolla is rich in proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Studies describe feeding azolla to dairy cattle, pigs, ducks, and chickens, with reported increases in milk production, weight of broiler chickens and egg production of layers, as compared to conventional feed. One FAO study describes how azolla integrates into a tropical biomass agricultural system, reducing the need for inputs (T.R. Preston and E. Murgueitio, 2008). Azolla cannot survive in winters with prolonged freezing, so is often grown as an ornamental plant at high latitudes where it cannot establish itself firmly enough to become a weed. It is very useful farming system in populated countries like India as it requires more man-power being labour-intensive farming systems. Women can be gainfully employed in this type of farming system.

Plants need nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as micronutrients and symbiotic relationships with fungi and other organisms to flourish, but getting enough nitrogen, and particularly synchronization so that plants get enough nitrogen at the right time (when plants need it most), is likely the greatest challenge for organic farmers(Watson CA,2002). Azolla is very useful for refuting this challenge in the farms as it fixes nitrogen from the atmosphere which is very essential nutrient for plants, giving the plant access to the essential nutrient. This has led to the plant being dubbed a "super-plant", as it can readily colonies areas of freshwater, and grow at great speed. Some species can double their biomass in three days under optimal environmental conditions. The nitrogen-fixing capability of Azolla has led to it being widely used as a bio-fertilizer, especially in parts of Southeast Asia. Indeed, the plant has been used to bolster agricultural productivity in China for over a thousand years. When rice paddies are flooded in the spring, they can be inoculated with Azolla, which then quickly multiplies to cover the water, suppressing weeds. The rotting plant material releases nitrogen to the rice plants, providing up to nine tonnes of protein per hectare per year (^ "FAO figures”). Azolla are also serious weeds in many parts of the world, entirely covering some bodies of water. It acts as an additional benefit to its role as a paddy bio-fertilizer. Azolla has been used to control mosquito larvae in rice fields. The myth that no mosquito can penetrate the coating of fern to lay its eggs in the water gives the plant its common name "mosquito fern"("Mosquito Fern", 2007). The plant grows in a thick mat on the surface of the water, reducing the rate at which oxygen dissolves into the water, effectively choking the larvae (Myer, Landon;et. al. ,2008).

By lighting bulbs around the pond, serves as an insect trap, attract insects which fell into pond can be consumed by fishes. Even bird’s droppings fell into water also serve as

food for fishes. The pellets of poultry/goat/sheep shed also become food for them. Feeding types among fishes range from predatory gulpers to sifters of organic materials in mud, to zooplankton (very small animals) feeders and to herbivores that eat algae or phytoplankton (very small plants) or even leafy plants. The rationale of poly-culture is the selection of compatible species with different feeding habits. In addition, as fish learn to feed on almost anything, it is relatively easy to develop pelleted foods for fish culture, dietary quality considerations aside. At the same time, such feeding habits permit the use of plant materials, especially cheap or nearly valueless crop residues. All sorts of other wastes, even sludge, can be fed to fish (Kerns and Roelofs 1977; Viola 1977; Bayne et al 1976) with very low conversion efficiencies, but presumably favoring cheap production costs.

Fruit trees can be grown on the borderline of the farms. This not only provides economic returns to the farmers but also helps in checking soil erosion of the agriculture land. The dried fallen leaves of the trees spread on land serve as effective mulches; it can help in preventing evaporation, thus retaining moisture of the soil. It also serves as shelter for earthworms which help in vermicomposting thus retaining the fertility of the soil and also act as effective weed suppressor. Most importantly it helps in mitigating the impact of climatic change and sustaining agriculture.

Mixed farms with both livestock and crops can operate as ley farms, whereby the land gathers fertility through growing nitrogen-fixing plants such as azolla or grasses like white clover or alfalfa and grows crops or cereals when fertility is established. Farms without livestock ("stockless") may find it more difficult to maintain fertility, and may rely more on external inputs such as imported manure as well as grain legumes and green manures, although grain legumes may fix limited nitrogen because they are harvested.

Biological research on soil and soil organisms has proven beneficial to organic farming. Varieties of bacteria and fungi break down chemicals, plant matter and animal waste into productive soil nutrients. In turn, they produce benefits of healthier yields and more productive soil for future crops (Ingram 2007). Fields with less or no manure display significantly lower yields, due to decreased soil microbe community (^ a b Fließbach et al. 2006).

The adoption of these multiple cropping systems rather than mono cropping system by farmers helps a long way in making them economically viable and environment friendly.

Model of Integrated Dry land Commercial Farming by Rainwater Harvesting

Efficient Integrated Farming

For integrated farming to give good results, it is suggested and shown in the model above that cropping system should be such which uses efficiently solar energy giving maximum biomass and also efficient in fixing carbon dioxide into biomass and also require minimum inorganic input. It should be accompanied by forage tree and integrated by monogastric animals which use local resources. Low cost biodigestors are recommended at the place of integrated farming. Excreta of animals, farm residue as well as organic waste of homes/markets should be put in biodigestors instead of directly putting them into the farms to have the below mentioned benefits. This is particularly important at the places where deforestation activities happen for household fuel. Biogas produced through biodigestors at the place of Integrated Farming is helpful in using as a fuel at homes, at markets places and also at cow/poultry sheds/fish ponds to light bulbs.

Flow diagram of Integrated Dry land Commercial Farming by Rainwater Harvesting

Integrated farming has been explained in the flow diagram also below. It shows that farms of drought resistant native crops should be accompanied by fruit/mulberry trees in the field periphery which will help in seri/bee culture. It should be complemented by ponds of fish andazolla plant, poultry and cattle.Biodigester are greatly recommended at the place of such type of Integrated farming. The benefits of this type of integrated dry land commercial farming by rainwater harvesting are given below:-

5.3.1 Advantages of the Model as well as the flow diagram given above

5.3.1.1 Bio Digester Helps in Reducing Greenhouse Effect

Accumulation principally of carbon dioxide and methane are the major causes of the warming of the earth's atmosphere. Though fossil-fuel based industrial development is the major cause of the environmental imbalance; but, agricultural practices based on the most modern inorganic production technologies are also adding to greenhouse gases. Since bio digester uses substances like cattle and human organic waste which emit methane and crop residue which emit carbon dioxide on burning, it helps in preventing carbon dioxide and methane from spreading into the atmosphere directly. Thus, this system helps in reversing the greenhouse effect by utilizing the resources which are provided by the nature (like biomass and animal and human organic waste) and also are combined sources of fuel and feed which helps in reducing the dependency on fossil fuels and chemical fertilizers.

Organic agriculture helps in mitigating and even reverses the effects of climate change. Organic agriculture decreases fossil fuel emissions and sequesters carbon in the soil. The elimination of synthetic nitrogen in organic systems decreases fossil fuel consumption by 33 percent and carbon sequestration takes CO2 out of the atmosphere by putting it in the soil in the form of organic matter which is often lost in conventionally managed soils. Carbon sequestration occurs at especially high levels in organic no-till managed soil (LaSalle et. al.2008).

Agriculture has been undervalued and underestimated as a means to combat global climate change. Soil carbon data show that regenerative organic agricultural practices are among the most effective strategies for mitigating CO2emissions (LaSalle et. al.2008).

5.3.1.2 It Helps in Producing the Goods Organically

"Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved." (IFOAM).

Organic farming is the form of agriculture that relies on techniques such as crop rotation, green manure, compost and biological pest control to maintain soil productivity and control pests on a farm. Organic farming excludes or strictly limits the use of manufactured fertilizers, pesticides (which include herbicides, insecticides and fungicides), plant growth regulators such as hormones, livestock antibiotics, food additives, and genetically modified organisms (DGARDEC).

The model and the flow diagram given above helps in producing the goods organically.

5.3.1.3 It Helps in Increasing the Crop Yield in a Unit Area in a Sustainable Way

Sustainable agriculture is the method of doing agriculture which integrates three main goals, environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity. These are broadly the goals which have been defined by a variety of philosophies, policies and practices, from the vision of farmers and consumers. But the perspectives and approaches may diverse.

Agriculture in India has got transformed from subsistence farming till late 1960’s to commercial farming since early 1980’s. But during the initial decade of the adoption of green revolution, chemical fertilizer was used heavily to increase the production which is not sustainable. Presently, though the use of it has been reduced but efforts are on to eliminate it completely to ensure sustainability. During the periods 1950-2010 agriculture production especially food grain production has increased from 50 M tons to 220 M tons. It was possible only with the adoption of new technology (Kumaraswamy and Khan, 2010). Along with it, research and development activities also contributed a lot to increase yields and decrease inputs so that smaller land area can also generate more returns. It also helped India in achieving self-sufficiency level. But, the population which is expected to reach 1.8 billion in 2050 and demand for food is increasing continuously with increase in human and animal population and arable land which is continuously decreasing with the commercial use of land (Kumar Ananda P., 2010). Also raising the produce organically is very important for sustainable agriculture. So, the need of the hour is to maximize crop production in a unit area in a sustainable way at reasonably low cost without undue exploitation of natural resources, through proper soil and water conservation measures and by adopting appropriate integrated soil management practices.

Scientific Review by Cornell University into a 22 year- long Field Study has shown the following results (Pimentalet al 2005):

· The improved soil allowed the organic land to generate yields equal to or greater than the conventional crops after 5 years

· The conventional crops collapsed during drought years.

· The organic crops fluctuated only slightly during drought years, due to greater water holding capacity in the enriched soil.

· The organic crops used 30% less fossil energy inputs than the conventional crops.

The model which has been given above helps in sustainable agriculture.

5.3.1.4 It Justifies Farm Mechanization

In the modern age talking of non-mechanization will be unjustifiable even if any country is overpopulated. Also, it is increasingly very difficult and expensive to rear animals especially bullocks even in the rural areas. There are no common resources available any longer such as common forests or grazing lands so farmers have to go for confined feeding that means higher costs hence it is not feasible at all. Hence animal husbandry is no longer feasible option for ploughing. With the above model along with mechanization, one can go for animal husbandry also. But, finding the alternate ways for the displaced labour in case of mechanization and also operating the machine optimally is a very important. The study of Mishra and Sundram (1975) compared the cost of harvester combine with other alternative technologies and found it to be unprofitable unless farmers take third crop in a year. The study also assessed the cost and benefits of harvester combines. It was estimated that the use of harvester combine resulted in saving of about 15 man-days of unskilled labour per acre. The labour displaced by this can be absorbed in meeting the demands of more unskilled labour which is required at the place of integrated farming. It is of utmost importance to examine whether the use of machines has been economical or not. Since integrated farming shows good results with multiple cropping rather than mono cropping, so, it justifies farm mechanization. On the basis of a study covering 203 farmers having 218 tractors in different districts of Punjab (Singh and Jindal, 1993) it was brought out that the total use of the tractor, which on an average came out 397 hours per annum is much less than the possible extent of 1000 hours. The cost per hour turned out to be very high due to high fixed cost, which can be reduced by increasing the hours of working of the tractor. If it finds work for 600 or more hours per annum, the cost per hour can be lowered significantly. The overall average cost/hour, which was Rs.103.04 by its existing quantum of work i.e. 397 hours declines to Rs.91.77, Rs.86.26 and Rs.82.97 by working per 600, 800 and 1000 hrs. per annum.

The machine becomes economical only if it is gainfully employed for rather than accounting for its unproductive use. The labour displaced by this can also be absorbed in agro-business by making them trained in the new technologies to reduce post-harvest losses through appropriate post-harvest operations including grading, value addition, packaging, processing and transportation so as to get remunerative price to the farmers.

6 Suggestions in support ofOption for any entrepreneurial activity (scope for further studies)

Since significantly more number of sample female farmers have opted for doing any entrepreneurial activity to enhance their income for improving their socio-economic condition. Hence, few activities have been suggested for them. Women in these ventures will also provide the basis for further study.

6.1 Food processing business –

The suggestive activity for women in this area is that they can earn money in small scale sector in food processing industry. They can be trained in processing of food and vegetable items. There is burgeoning demand of vegetable curries in portable pouches, canned mushroom and mushroom products, dried fruit and vegetables and fruit juice concentrates etc. not only in India but world over. Since, these are the areas of women’s domain; hence, if women are trained properly using extension workers, it will help them in becoming economically independent and even in earning foreign exchange.

6.2 Milk processing-

The export of dairy products has been growing @ 25% per annum in terms of quantity and 28% in terms of value. So, it provides a great scope for the manufacturing of value added milk products like milk powder, packaged milk, butter, ghee, cheese and ready to drink milk products. The presence of healthy casein of type A2 offers great scope for export of cow’s milk and milk products from India.

The data collected by the researcher did not find even a single sampling unit who is not rearing milch animal/ not selling milk. Since the state has been declared an organic one, so, things including milk are produced organically here. Milk by-products viz. cheese, churpi, ghee, paneer etc. are produced locally but in a limited scale. In Sikkim an autonomous body under the name of Sikkim co-operative milk producers’ union limited has been established. Milk is handled through 150 milk societies in the state. Here, it is suggested that an adequate number of cooperative unions which should have very well road connectivity should be opened up in the rural areas. Their ownership and control should be given to women. This act will definitely make them economically independent. Since organically produced things are in great demand throughout the globe, it can even help them in earning foreign exchequer if handled properly and operated commercially under some expert supervision of animal husbandry department.

6.3 Poultry/fishing industry-

Fish farming provides many profitable opportunities. On the commercial level, the raising and selling of fish has proven to be economically successful at many places. The healthy farm-reared fish, guaranteed free of diseases, pesticides and other harmful toxicants is more desirable substitute for the wild fish from potentially polluted waters. Fish farming requires special knowledge, skills, and careful considerations. There is also great scope for women to earn not only home currency but also foreign exchequer by rearing fish and engaging themselves in processed fish products like fish sausages, pastes, texturized products and dry fish etc. Along with small scale fish farming as is suggested in the flow diagram, large scale fish farming is suggested below.

Construction of Dam activity under tertiary sector is going on in the state. Consequently, reservoirs in the area which exist due to damming can be commercially exploited for the successful conservation and management of indigenous fish species. Fish so produced can be used to meet the consumption requirement of the state during the non-breeding seasons. Cooperation from the state fishery department may be sought in this regard. The fine meshed net like cast net and mosquito nets which catch fish juveniles must be banned because they reduce the survival rate of fish species. However for developing fish culture a Hatchery is proposed in the vicinity of the reservoir. The fish hatchery can be managed by the State Fisheries Department, which may be equipped with the technical know-how for running trout and carp culture fisheries. After rearing the spawn in the hatchery for a stipulated period of time the young fish can be restocked in the reservoir as well as in the river for replenishing the natural population. Both the activities can be managed by an officer of the rank of Fishery Project officer with the help of subordinate staff. In order to establish successfully the indigenous fish species in the lacustrine system, it is proposed to introduce a few indigenous species on an experimental basis in the proposed reservoir from the fish stock reared in the proposed hatchery. Prior to seed stocking in the reservoir, detailed study of physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water and the soil of reservoir is a must. The way of rearing fish given in the flow diagram can also be proved beneficial and economical to the small farmers. Setting up of cold room facilities in the market area is also a suggestive activity in this regard.

This sector is among the faster growing sectors. It has been observed in studies that vertical integration of poultry products and marketing has lowered the cost of production, consumer prices of meat and marketing margins.

6.4 Scope for packaged products

With continuously growing middle class, incessantly expanding secondary and tertiary sectors in the state, busy working schedules with both spouses working and rigid food habits, the demand for packaged chapaties, quick cooking rice, packaged ready to heat and eat dals and curries, though produced at small scale but using modern packaging and handling technology is going to get increased in the due course of time. If guided properly women can harness opportunity in this upcoming area.

6.5 Avenues in floriculture (Saffron)

Floriculture is one of the allied sectors of the agriculture. It is believed that if females are employed in this noble sector, it will flourish more. For the simple reason that flowers are being nurtured by nature and if females, who also nurture their families, can help in exploiting the plethora of potential waiting to be tapped and efficiently running of this sector. In Sikkim, there are 4500 species of flowers. To promote Sikkim at the international level, an international show is also held in the state. At present, Sikkim is producing cut flowers, which includes roses, Lilium and Anthurium on a commercial scale. Sikkim is the only state in the country which produces high-value cymbidium orchids. It has also been designated as the agriculture export zone with particular emphasis on production and export of large cardamom, ginger and cherry pepper.

Besides this, saffron is cultivated in Pampore town of Pulwama district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, located at 34.02°N 74.93°E and has an average elevation of 1,574 meters (5,164 feet). It is one of the only four producers of saffron in the world. It produces world famous quality saffron. Along with employing women in this noble venture it fetches them good return, as it is sold at a very high price. The suggested activity here is if the saffron is cultivated on the pattern of Pampore in the area of same elevation as of Pampore in Sikkim also by employing female farmers, it will help in earning a good amount by meeting the intensified demand throughout the globe.

6.6 Employment in alternative innovative area in Apple orchards

Sikkim is an apple/orange grower state. Because of the suitable climate for apple growth in the North district, it is grown in that area the most in Sikkim. It will help in integrated farming if grown in a manner as suggested in the flow diagram. Unskilled women labour can also be employed in these orchards productively. During hailstorm/heavy rains so many unripe fruit fell down on the ground. They can be taught the alternative innovative ways that can be used. For example making different types of achar, murabba, chutney with them. Also very valuable phytochemicals which is used to fight cancer can be extracted from unripe apple. This way, along with getting gainful employment for collecting raw fruit, farmers can get even economic returns from their fallen fruits.

6.7 Sericulture

Sericulture is an eco-friendly agro-based labour intensive rural cottage industry. Also the services of women are required more in this industry. More number of women get involved in mulberry cultivation as well as in silkworms rearing houses. So, this is the suggestive activity for female farmers of the state to multiply their income. Mulberry trees if grown in a manner as suggested in the flow diagram will help in integrated farming. Any problem faced by females while conducting this activity can get a solution from sericulture department or (http://www.csb.gov.in/faq/csrti-pampore) can be referred. Solutions by the department for the problems faced by the farmers of Pampore while conducting mulberry cultivation for sericulture are given on this site.

But to get the optimum results from this activity, training of women in sericulture by extension personnel is very important as they need close help and constant encouragement to acquire skills in sericulture. Those who are interested to take up sericulture as their main income generating source can be given special training and attention by Women Sericulture Cooperative Society to support the women.

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Received on 25.05.2012

Revised on 02.06.2012

Accepted on 07.06.2012

Table -4-Degree of answer for doing anything except agriculture-Q.6A
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	Strong Negative1	5	2.2	2.2	2.2
	2	6	2.6	2.6	4.8
	3	3	1.3	1.3	6.1
	4	13	5.7	5.7	11.7
	5	28	12.2	12.2	23.9
	6	23	10.0	10.0	33.9
	7	12	5.2	5.2	39.1
	8	26	11.3	11.3	50.4
	9	46	20.0	20.0	70.4
	10 Strong positive	68	29.6	29.6	100.0
	Total	230	100.0	100.0

Table -5-Frequency of various options
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	POULTRY	99	43.0	43.0	43.0
	FISH FARMING	20	8.7	8.7	51.7
	COW	89	38.7	38.7	90.4
	SILKWORM/HONEY BEE	12	5.2	5.2	95.7
	OTHERS	10	4.3	4.3	100.0
	Total	230	100.0	100.0

Table -6-Degree of answer for their views to optfor any entrepreneurial activity-Q.6B
		Frequency	Percent	Valid Percent	Cumulative Percent
Valid	Strong Negative1	4	1.7	1.7	1.7
	2	2	.9	.9	2.6
	3	1	.4	.4	3.0
	4	11	4.8	4.8	7.8
	5	11	4.8	4.8	12.6
	6	13	5.7	5.7	18.3
	7	17	7.4	7.4	25.7
	8	54	23.5	23.5	49.1
	9	42	18.3	18.3	67.4
	10 Strong positive	75	32.6	32.6	100.0
	Total	230	100.0	100.0

District/ State	Total area (sq.km)	%of total area	Population Concentration	% 0f total Population	Total no. of circle	Total no. of circles sampled	No.of female sample farmers
East	954	13.5	2,45,040	45.3	21	06	80
West	1166	16.5	1,23,256	22.8	21	06	60
North	4226	59.5	41,030	7.6	07	04	30
South	750	10.5	1,31,525	24.3	23	08	60
Sikkim	7096	100	5,40,851	100	72	24	230

Table-3-One-Sample Test
	Test Value = 5
					95% Confidence Interval of the Difference
	t	df	Sig (2-tailed)	Mean Difference	Lower	Upper
Q.6A	15.923	229	.000	2.574	2.26	2.89
Q.6B	22.903	229	.000	3.117	2.85	3.39