1. International Indexed & Referred Research Journal, November, 2012, ISSN 0974- 2832, RNI- RAJBIL- 2009/29954; VoL IV * ISSUE- 46
Research Paper- Commerce
Women in Village Industries of Manipur
* Dr. Kh. Dhiren Meetei ** O. Deepakkumar November ,2012
*Assot. Prof., Dept. of Commerce, Manipur University, Canchipur-
**Research Scholar, Dept. of Commerce, Manipur University, Canchipur
A B S T R A C T
In Manipur women's role are many and varied in many aspects including trade, social activities, politics, sports etc. It is
a matter of fact that village industries are the ingredient part for the economic development as they are less capital intensive
and based on locally available raw materials. The importance of women participation in grasping the opportunities emerged
in village industries need to be refocused again.
Introduction and agriculture based but the role of secondary and
One of the exceptions in the state of Manipur tertiary sector cannot be under estimated in the transi-
and its neighbours is that many of the trading activities tion of the economy. To make a breakthrough in initi-
are done by women. In Manipur women dominate ating economic development, it has a limited number of
markets in both rural and urban areas. They are playing industries mostly medium and small scales to initiate
a unique role in the socio economic up liftmen of the the process of industrialization. Any plan which seeks
tiny hilly state of North East India. Their trading activi- to eradicate or reduce underemployment, therefore
ties includes home woven cloths, agricultural products should primarily direct its endeavours towards absorb-
including crops and vegetables, horticulture produces, ing as much of this human labour as possible into
cane and bamboo items, sweetmeat, blacksmith pro- production. Small scale and cottage industries are labour
duces etc. Ima Keithel (Women Market) is a market in intensive and are capable of creating more employment
Imphal, the capital city of the state, which is run, own [Rao, R.V., 1967]. The social system of Manipur is more
and manages only by women. rural centered and hence the livelihood of people de-
The role of women in village industries, apart pends upon the rural based occupation. To ensure a
from the traditional trading activities cannot be under- better progress in rural development, effort should be
estimated. They have started taking keen interest in made to ensure a bright future of village industries.
nontraditional activities also. Women entrepreneur- Village industries have the potentials to solve the prob-
ship is a well established fact, they have a strong desire lems and stimulate rural economic growth and overall
to make something meaningful not only for themselves development of the rural areas. It can increase agricul-
but also for their households, and become tural production, increasing capabilities of individual
independent.They have been contributing to the production, inducing the development of ago based
industrualisation process by utilizing locally available and rural small scale industries, which in turn creates
raw materials and human resources. employment in rural areas. In order to minimize the
The activities related to handloom, handicraft, prevalence of poverty, rural industries can play a vital
knitting, pickle making, toy making, jam and jelly mak- role in providing rural employment resulting in food
ing, bee keeping are not new but these activities are security to rural people (Meenakshisundaram N. 2006).
needed to be revitalized again. Women Participation
Objectives and Methodology of The Study In Manipur women entrepreneurship are very
The study attempts to highlight the role of active and expert in their native skills and craftsman-
women in the development of village industries in the ship. However for lack of suitable EDPs for women
state and its significance. The present study is based entrepreneurs, they have to remain too much backward
on both primary as well as secondary data, primary data (Sarmah S.R. 1990). In every household women are
is collected through personal interviews with women equally engaged in some or other economic activities
entrepreneurs and secondary data includes various with men but the level of income is not appreciable. It
related publication in the field. is not that people of Manipuri lack in entrepreneurial
Significance of Village Industries In Manipur skill, particularly women of Manipur traditionally used
Economy of Manipur is basically traditional to manufacture and sell their products and had intimate
knowledge of trading operation. But they could not
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2. International Indexed & Referred Research Journal, November, 2012, ISSN 0974- 2832, RNI- RAJBIL- 2009/29954; VoL IV * ISSUE- 46
Table No. 1 Educational Qualification Of Women Respondent
Age_Respondent Educatio_Qualification Total Percentage
Under Under Graduate Post
Matric Graduate Graduate
LESS THAN 25 3 0 0 0 3 2.00
LESS THAN 30 9 0 1 0 10 6.67
LESS THAN 35 17 21 2 3 43 28.67
LESS THAN 40 8 26 19 5 58 38.66
ABOVE 40 4 3 15 14 36 24.00
TOTAL 41 50 37 22 150 100.00
PERCENTAGE 27.33 33.33 24.67 14.67 100.00
Table No. 2 Nature of Industries of Women Respondents
Age of Nature of Indutrt Total
Respondent Agro Textile Rural Food Mineral Service Forest
Engineering Processing Based Based
Less Than 25 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 3
Less Than 30 4 1 0 3 1 1 0 10
Less Than 35 3 17 4 6 5 0 8 43
Less Than 40 4 32 5 3 0 10 4 58
Above 40 10 3 8 7 1 0 7 36
Total 23 53 17 20 7 11 19 150
Percentage 15.33 35.33 11.33 13.33 4.67 7.33 12.67 100
grow since they are not organized lot and they have not 14.67 percent are post graduate. Most of the women
grown beyond their tradition to adjust with the order entrepreneurs are found in the age 35 - 40 years (38.66
of the day (Gosh G.K. 1997). Women have a good record percent), followed by 30 - 35 years (28.67 percent). 2
of participation in many village and cottage industries percent of women entrepreneur are found in the age
like 1.forest based: cane and bamboo, handmade paper, less than 25. Traditionally Manipuri women are expert
Agarbati, bee keeping 2. Agro based: Processing & in textile and account for 35.33 percent of the respon-
packing of cereals, spices, fruits & vegetable preserva- dents, Agro based industries about 15.33 percent and
tion 3. Mineral Based Industry: pottery industry, jew- followed by Food processing industries 13.33 percent.
elry, salt making 4. Textile Industry: Leather items, cloth- Table No. 2
ing, tailoring and preparation of readymade garments, Women entrepreneurship play a key role in the eco-
surgical bandages, toys and doll, 5. Polymer and Chemi- nomic development in the society and it is an essential
cal Based Industry: Cottage soap industry, rubber part of human resource development. Many of the
goods, essential oils, detergent, washing powder, 5. respondent adopted entrepreneurship at the later age
Rural Engineering: Carpentry, black smithy, aluminum of life and the main reasons for their ventures are either
products, 6. Service Industry: Laundry, barber, plumb- unemployment or intuition for doing something inde-
ing, tyre vulcanizing, battery charging etc. pendent. In order to develop the women entrepreneur-
See Table 1 ship, training is required and counselling centers should
Table No. 1 revealed that 27.33 percent of be developed to attract even the highly educated
women respondent were under matric, 33.33 percent people.
are under graduate, 24.67 percent are graduate and
R E F E R E N C E
1 Gosh, G.K., (1997), Women of Manipur, APH Publishing Corporation, New Delhi, p.236.
2 Meenakshisundaram N., (2006), Rural Industries: Nature and Scope, edited by Meenakshisundaram N., Rural Industrial
Management, Concept Publishing Company, New Delhi, p.1.
3 Rao, R.V. (1967). Cottage and Small Scale Industries & Planned Economy, Starling Publication (P) Ltd. New Delhi, p. 25.
4 Sarmah S.R. (1990). Entrepreneurial Development in North Eastern Region - Problems, Prospects and Approach, edited
by Uddin Sama, Entrepreneurial Development in India, Mittal Publication, New Delhi, p.108.
SHODH, SAMIKSHA AUR MULYANKAN 17