A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for the award of the Degree of Master of Science, School of Engineering and Technology

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1991

This study was carried out to asses s the socio-economic impact of Small Farmer's development Program on rural women in SFDP, Budanilakantha where the program was believed to have yielded enormous opportunities to change their status. Two villages covered under project's activities and one from the neighboring area (outside the project) were selected for the study. The information was mainly collected through a field survey of sampled respondents using a pre-tested set of questionnaire. Relevant information was also collected from concerned agencies. The study revealed that women work more than men but have less say in major decisions and assess to socio-economic resources of the household. They are good borrowers but have got lesser amount of loan . Although the social status of participating women in SFDP increased, men continues to enjoy the high social status and respect in the project area. Poultry farming was the most common income generating activity carried out by women. Although SFDP was instrumental in improving the living condition of the project member, it was not well perceived by the people. Very few project members believed that their status was changed because of participating in SFDP. Similarly, very few farmers in the neighboring village had heard of the program. Farmer's had high expectations when the project was initiated and it started to decline as time passed. Many activities initiated by the project didn't last long. The reason of major frustration was that the program was unable to bring concrete change in the income level of the participating member. Small Farmers Development Program is the only rural development program in Nepal reaching to the people at the lowest stratum of society. The program should concentrate in income generating activities to generate more income of the participating women. The status of rural women will be only improved if their income level is changed for better.