On Different Characteristics of Iranian Farmer Women in Rural Development Activities Based on Animal Husbandry

Rural women play a significant role in domestic and socio- economic life of the society so that national development is not possible without developing this important and substantial segment of our society. Given the importance of women in agriculture, this study was conducted to examine the role of Iranian women in the farm management decision-making processed concerning animal husbandry. The sample of the study comprised 200 farm women, who were recruited by the help of the proportionate stratified sampling technique. Data were collected in East Azerbaijan in the Northwest of Iran. Women’s contribution to agriculture is thus fundamental for the socio-economic development of rural areas. They are extensively involved in agriculture as female farm heads, co- owners, family farm workers, and also employees. In order to find out the relationship between different characteristics of rural women and participation in animal husbandry, the GLM multivariate method was employed as a robust statistical method. As the final results showed, women age, family size, level of aspiration, extension contact, perceived role overloads, and inter-spouse communication correlated highly with work participation in animal husbandry.