Role of Training and Value Addition in Enhancing Economic Empower ment of Tribal Women

Abstract

Tribal women form a vital part of the rural workforce and contribute significantly  to agriculture and allied sectors, especially dairy-based livelihoods. This study  assessed the effectiveness of a training programme on value addition conducted in  Baruabaag (Sitarganj) and Gurukheda (Khatima) villages of Udham Singh Nagar  district, Uttarakhand. A total of 100 tribal women were selected purposively. An  experimental research design with a pre-test and post-test approach was used.  Data were collected through structured interviews, and analysis was carried out  using mean scores, percentage change, and knowledge categorization. The training  covered value addition of local agricultural and dairy products, along with hygiene,  processing, packaging, labeling, cost-benefit analysis, and marketing strategies.  Results indicated a significant increase in knowledge levels, with mean scores rising  from 9.25 percent (pre-test) to 82.75 percent (post-test), reflecting a gain of 73.5  percent. The highest improvement was observed in hygiene and quality control,  followed by processing and value addition practices. All respondents shifted from  low to high knowledge category after the training. The findings highlight that training  interventions effectively enhance knowledge, skills, and entrepreneurial orientation  among tribal women. Strengthening such capacity-building programmes can  contribute to improved income generation and sustainable livelihood development