Abstrait

GENERATION OF WOMEN�S LIVELIHOOD: A BIO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF MUD CRAB (Scylla sp.) FATTENING AT SUNDARBAN AREA (W.B.)

S. Sahu, A.K.Jana, S.Sarkar, K.C.Dora, B.K.Das

Brackish water crab fattening in Deltaic Sundarban is an old and traditional practice which is playing a significant role in livelihood of the coastal people. The most casual observation indicates that women play an integral role in mud crab fattening in West Bengal. Women are directly involving in mud crab fattening. Sometime they are more likely to be referred to as helpers assisting their husband or other family members in feeding, stocking, and other pre and poststocking management in crab fattening. The present study was conducted during 2011-2012 in different areas; Uttarchandanpiri, Lahiripur, Namkhana, Nischintapur & Choto Mollakhali in Sundarban by using semi-structured and pre-tested interview schedule in order to assess the role of women in mud crab fattening. All women found to involve in feed application to their farmed crabs which is less laborious works. While women involved in marketing of crabs was not remarkable. It might be due to the restriction by some social religious norms and due to the pressure of other household works. From the survey, it also revealed that more educated and experienced mud crab fattening farmers found to have more benefit, that is in line with others finding established the positive impact of literacy over farm efficiency. The study suggested that crab fattening could provide a better opportunity to them that ultimately could bring change in their decision making empowerment and livelihood.