DIMENSIONS IN RURAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN - A CASE IN ANDHRA-PRADESH

The paper examines intra-district trends in share, growth, and composition of rural non-farm employment (RNFE) of women in West Godavari district for the period 1971-91. The share of RNFE of women increased in delta taluk from 1971 to 1991 whereas it declined in the upland taluk and the agency taluk. At taluk level, Narsapur, Tanuku and T.P. Gudem occupied the first three positions among themselves. The growth of RNFE of women in delta and upland taluks was attributed to initial spurt and vast change in agriculture during 1980s and establishment of female-based agroindustries like cashew kernel processing, tobacco handling and fruit juice manufacturing industries. Female employment in delta area was high in household and non-household manufacturing transport, storage and communication whereas in upland area, the female employment was high in construction, trade and commerce. RNFE of female at infra-district level showed rising trends in all the regions with some discerning differences in growth levels due to agro-economic conditions. implementation of employment generation programmes by the government and adoption of agro-climatic regional planning approach are the suggestions offered for the removal of disparities in women's earnings.