A study was conducted to assess the gender role in commercial farming and household income in Chitwan, Nepal in 2012. The survey research design was used whereas purposive and simple random sampling was followed to select the respondents. The study was conducted in Gunjanagar and Sharadanagar Village Development Committees (VDCs) of the Chitwan district. A total of 112 respondents were selected from commercial vegetable growing farmers, 61 respondents from Gunjanagar and 51 respondents from Sharadanagar VDC. A pre-tested and standard interview schedule was employed for household survey to collect primary information. And various documents of the governmental and non-governmental organizations were used for secondary information. The findings of the study revealed that vegetable farming has major contribution in household income. It was explored that joint decision making done in crop selection and marketing activities rather than just one gender. However, technology related and direct money related activities were decided more by male. Most of the activities related to commercial vegetable farming are performed jointly. However, laborious activities like nursery bed preparation, field preparation were done by male and tedious works like manure mixing; intercultural operations were done by female. Various household resources like land, capital, were controlled by male members than female members of the household. Moreover, female farmers have lesser access to agriculture extension services than their male counterparts. The findings also revealed that commercial vegetable farming was not new enterprise for them and most of the farmers were highly motivated by their neighbors, they have started growing vegetable commercially as soon as the highway and feeder roots were made. And the findings also revealed that vegetable production have major share in household income in comparison to other components like livestock, cereal crops and fruits. Almost all farmers were found satisfied with their income and have very positive attitude towards Commercial Vegetable Farming, Due to good income, majority of youths were engaged in this commercial vegetable farming and all farmers are satisfied with this job. Thus, with commercial vegetable farming, gender role has been changing overtime and it has created a good employment opportunities for youths. So, with proper management of the roles of gender, supply of inputs and trainings enhance the commercial vegetable farming in Chitwan district.
Keywords: Commercial Vegetable Farming, Gender
