Relationship between Soil Texture, Demographic Deficit of Women and Women's Employment in Agriculture: A Further Research

Abstract

This study aims to replicate the findings of Carranza (2014) and expand on them by examining how soil texture relates to female labor force participation and gender inequities in India's agriculture industry, while also considering regional variations. This study utilizes cross-sectional data from 577 districts to establish that soil endowments, namely loamy and clay soil fractions, have a substantial and favorable impact on the female-to-male ratio in the age bracket of 0 to 9, as well as on women's involvement in agricultural employment. Examination of regional subgroups demonstrates a notable impact of clay soil on the ratio of females to males in the North and Northeast regions, whereas no such influence is shown in the South region. The results of this study emphasize the importance of environmental resources in comprehending gender inequalities in workforce engagement and support the implementation of policies that consider regional soil resources. This study proposes the need for further multidisciplinary research and collaboration, along with region-specific interventions, soil conservation measures, and educational initiatives, to effectively tackle these gaps and advance gender equality in India's agricultural industry.