GENDER AND EMPLOYMENT IN TRADITIONAL CATTLE PRODUCTION SYSTEM IN UPLAND AND LOWLAND OF EAST JAVA

Abstract

Within the framework of the ACIAR nutrition reproduction studies on cattle in East
Java, socio-economic section conducted a survey on gender and employment. The locations were grouped into lowland and upland areas. Sixty farmer's households in each location were selected and women were interviewed. The results showed that economically active women population was 47,06% and 48,80% from the total population in lowland and upland respectively. A great variation was noticed in women's participation across work types in cattle production but the dominant involvement was in feeding, feed collection, cleaning and herb medicine preparation. By age group this participation rate was highest for 13-35 years old group and lowest among >55 years old. By income group the trend of participation increased from low asset to high asset especially in lowland. The great variation in the rate of participation of women in village cattle reproduction showed flexibility in women's labour use across work types. This should he interpreted that women's labour in related to teamwork of the whole family.