Supported by International Development research center, Canada,

This study on the roles of women in agriculture was carried out in Phattlaung province, a major rice growing area in southern Thailand, as part of a mationwide study on the same subject. The objective of the research was to identify and introduce appropriate technology to improve the quality of life of women farmers. The research was divided in two phases: to study the differential roles of women and men in the farming systems and to identify the technology, the second phase was to implement the  technology and to evaluate the impact of the technology on the women.

The results revealed that women farmers spent more time in farming and households’’ activities than men. They took active roles in decision making and community participation. The farmers also expressed their desire to learn more of agricultural techniques, Their important source of knowledge was agricultyral extension officers.

Following careful considerations of various constraints and opportunities,  the technology chosen for implementation was poultry husbandry of native breed, Twelve women were selected from both villages for the implementation, A post evaluation of the implemented technology indicated the in addition to their increased income, the women farmer’s stats in the communities was also improved; hence, their overall quality of life was enhanced