Which of the following statements about the employment of rural men and women is correct?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Majority of rural women find employment in agriculture, while men generally look for non-farm employment
Most rural women work in agriculture. Men generally look for non-farm jobs. In recent times, women too have begun looking for non-farm work.
Option (1) Majority of rural women find employment in non-farm activities, while men stay in agriculture — Incorrect. It is the other way round.
Option (2) Majority of rural women find employment in agriculture, while men generally look for non-farm employment — Correct. This is the pattern in rural India.
Option (3) Rural women have stopped looking for non-farm jobs in recent times — Incorrect. Women have begun looking for non-farm jobs.
Option (4) Very few women find employment in the livestock sector — Incorrect. A significant number of women work in the livestock sector.
NCERT (2026-27): “5.5 Diversification into Productive Activities … Those sectors which have the potential but seriously lack infrastructure and other support include traditional home-based industries like pottery, crafts, handlooms etc. Majority of rural women find employment in agriculture while men generally look for non-farm employment. In recent times, women have also begun looking for non-farm jobs (see Box 5.2).” “5.5 Diversification into Productive Activities … Today, livestock sector alone provides alternate livelihood options to over 70 million small and marginal farmers including landless labourers. A significant number of women also find employment in the livestock sector. …” |