Abstract
Women's involvement in livestock production and development has been a long-standing global tradition. In rural areas they are engaged in different tasks from dawn to dusk such as watering of farm animals, including feeding and watering of poultry. preparing feed for animals, cleaning the animal housing/sheds and making dung cakes for use as fuel. The proverbial saying that dairying is women's industry sounds true. It seems more true in rural areas. Dairy animals keep rural women busy for much longer time than any other animal-related task. After milking the animals, the milk ifnot sold as such, is processed to make curd, butter, "Lassi" and ghee from it. Some families may prepare cottage cheese as well. The sale of milk as such or ghee, Teddy goats, eggs and poultry birds .fetch a lot of income for the rural households. No doubt it is largely the women-generated income. However, in urban areas the magnitude of involvement of women in poultry and livestock production is very small. A small percentage of women especially qualified in animal health and production traits are working in diary industry, feed industry and diagnostic laboratories both as veterinarians and livestock production extension workers. More females should be encouraged to enter into higher education and vocational training in animal husbandry. Experience has suggested that employing more women qualified in this field would help solve most of the day-to-day problems encountered by promoters of live'stock production. This will improve animal productivity resulting into increased availability of milk, meat, eggs, etc. so badly needed for better nutrition and health of the masses. Also, it will fetch more income for those involved in raising livestock and poultry, especially the rural women. Presently the data available concerning the role of women in livestock production is very scanty. However, with implementation of the suggestions given herein, a wider database would be available for further planned involvement of women in livestock production. Key words: livestock production, women
