Women Farm Workers in Malaysia

Malaysian agriculture is governed by two predominant farming scenarios based on the size of farming operations, namely, the small-holding sector (about 70%) and the plantation sector (about 30%). In the small-holding sector, in which the land in operation is below 100 acres (40.47 hectares), the majority of small- holders have an average of 4.40 acres in paddy monocropping and mixed farming.1

A gender analysis of access to land ownership shows that men own more land than women.2 They constitute from 40%-60% of farm workers in Malaysian agriculture, depending on the type of crop.3 Despite women's limited access to land ownership, they still serve as farm workers. In many developing countries where small- holding and subsistence farming are predominant, women work on farms either as owner-operators (family labor),4 wage workers, or agricultural laborers. In many cases, women have the role of family providers because rural families can't depend solely on husbands' income for their livelihoods.5

Finally, many rural women head households and are compelled to work on farms due to separation, divorce, or death of a husband or temporary migration of the husband to urban centers for employment.6

Since mainly family-related circumstances have forced women to work in farms whether owned by their families or by others, it's imperative now to suggest strategies to increase women's access to farm employment.

Studies have indicated land development programs have created many job opportunities for both rural men and women. The creation of programs related to oil palm production, farm youth programs concentrated on various short-term commercial crops, and tiger prawn projects (land development in swampy areas) have attracted many women workers. This has, to a certain extent, raised the total family income of the households involved.7

Less usage of labor-saving mechanization means more labor is needed. When there's less mechanization coupled with diversified farming, there will be more demand for seasonal labor. Women have always been identified as an important source of seasonal labor in the rural areas.8 Therefore, less mechanization creates access for women to work in the farms.

Rural women form an important segment of human resources in the rural areas. As such, strategies to increase their access to land as farm workers, despite their limited access to land ownership, should be considered so women, who form about half of rural population, aren't left out. This article's strategies should be of interest to policymakers and program planners who are responsible for Extension work and rural development.

1. Maimunah Ismail, "Women's Access to Land as Owners and Farm Workers" (Ph.D. dissertation, Universiti Pertanian Malaysia, Serdang, 1992).

2. Ibid.

3. Noeleen Heyzer, Women Farmers and Rural Change: Towards Equal Access and Participation (Kuala Lumpur: Asian and Pacific Development Centre, 1987).

4. Ismail, "Women's Access."

5. Ibid.

6. Cecilia Ng Choon Sim, Siti Nor Hamid, and Syed Husin Ali, "Rural Development Programmes, Women's Participation and Organizations in Malaysia," in Women Farmers and Rural Change in Asia, Noeleen Heyzer, ed. (Kuala Lumpur: APDC, 1987).

7. Ismail, "Women's Access."

8. Ibid.