Determinants of women participation and the wages in the agricultural sector in Anuradhapura district: Heckman selection model Approach

Abstract

The objectives of the study are to identify the determinants of women's participation and their wages in the agricultural sector in the Anuradhapura district. The cross-sectional data were gathered from 7 villages in Talawa Divisional Secretariat in the district and from each village, 25 rural women were selected randomly during 2022. Results of frequency showed that 66% of the women participated in the agricultural sector and 34% of them did not participate. Heckman selection model was applied in two stages and in the first stage, the Probit model was used to identify the factors that determine the women's participation in the agricultural sector. The results of the model suggest that age, age squared, credit facilities, possibility of getting another job, education level, and other income sources were the major factors that determine the participation of women in the agricultural sector in the study area. In the second stage of the Heckman selection model, the ordinary least square method was employed where the wage was taken as the dependent variable and its results revealed that education, farm experience, and age squared were significantly influencing the wage in the agricultural sector in the district. The findings of the study may help policymakers formulate the appropriate strategies to increase women’s participation in the agricultural sector and their income in the future.