Occupational Health, Socio-Economic Conditions, and Gender Dimensions of Female Workers in Polyhouse Farming in India

ABSTRACT
Protected cultivation through polyhouses and shade-net structures has become increasingly important for agricultural diversification and climate-resilient rural development. However, the expansion of protected cultivation also raises concerns regarding women's occupational health, socio-economic security, training and gender relations. The present study examines these dimensions among female agricultural workers engaged in polyhouse/shade-net farming in selected villages of Gangapur and Vaijapur talukas of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, Maharashtra.
The study is based on a primary survey of 200 women agricultural workers, conducted during July 2025 to June 2026. Data were collected through a structured interview schedule and analysed using frequencies, percentages, cross-tabulations and Pearson's Chi-square test. The findings indicate a substantial training gap: 80% of respondents had not received formal training, although 48% reported substantial skill improvement and 30% reported some improvement. Sixty-six percent considered polyhouse work easier than traditional farming, while 66% identified lack of training as a major difficulty. Low wages were reported by 20% and male dominance by 8%.
Occupational-health concerns were also evident. Eighty percent reported the absence of workplace health facilities, 46% reported daily fatigue and only 14% reported regular health check-ups. Regarding household decision-making, 60% reported joint decision-making, 28% reported husband-led decision-making and 12% reported independent female decision-making.
Pearson's Chi-square analysis showed statistically significant associations between education and technology awareness, education and reported health-insurance status, family occupation and saving pattern, and daily wage and purpose of borrowing (p < 0.001). These findings are interpreted as associations rather than causal relationships because the study is cross-sectional.
The study concludes that protected cultivation can provide employment and skill-development opportunities for rural women, but these benefits need to be supported by structured training, occupational-health protection, fair wages, social security, financial inclusion and gender-responsive decision-making

: Polyhouse farming; women agricultural workers; occupational health; socio-economic conditions; gender; protected cultivation; rural development.

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