Authors : Dr. T. Sasikala

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 2 - February

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/3yuep8js

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/43vsb6y4

DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14964317

Abstract : The agricultural sector in Tamil Nadu plays a pivotal role in the state’s economy, employing millions of workers, a significant portion of whom are women. Despite their essential contribution, gender-based wage disparity remains a persistent issue. This study explores the wage differences between male and female agricultural labourers in Tamil Nadu, using primary data collected from surveys and interviews with workers across several districts, along with secondary data from existing research. Findings indicate that women earn considerably less than men for similar tasks, despite contributing equally to agricultural production. The paper highlights the socio-cultural, economic, and legal factors driving this disparity and discusses potential strategies for achieving gender parity in agricultural wages.

Keywords : Gender Disparity, Wages, Agricultural Labour, Tamil Nadu, Rural Economy, Socio-Cultural Factors, Wage Gap.

References :

1. FAO. (2011). The State of Food and Agriculture: Women in Agriculture – Closing the Gender Gap for Development. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
2. National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO), Government of India. (2013). NSSO 68th Round: Employment and Unemployment in India.
3. Tamil Nadu Women’s Development Corporation (TNWDC). (2015). Gender Disparity in Agricultural Wages in Tamil Nadu.
4. Centre for Women’s Development Studies (CWDS). (2016). Agricultural Labor and Women’s Rights in Tamil Nadu: A Study.