Rural Kasur is known for its fertile agricultural land. While men often take the visible lead in field operations, it is the women of Kasur’s villages who form the backbone of many traditional farming and soil care practices. From seed selection to composting, irrigation support to weed control, rural women have played a vital but often unrecognized role in sustaining agricultural productivity and soil health in the region. This article highlights the significant contribution of women to traditional agriculture in Kasur, with a particular focus on their involvement in soil conservation, fertility enhancement, and eco-friendly land management practices.
Women’s Involvement in Kasur’s Traditional Farming & Agricultural System
In rural Kasur, women are actively engaged in multiple stages of farming. While they are less likely to own land or be the registered decision-makers, their presence is critical in:
- Sowing seeds and transplanting seedlings
- Weeding and irrigation management
- Harvesting and threshing
- Sorting and storing produce
They also assist in livestock care, collecting fodder, and gathering organic materials used in farming and soil maintenance.
In many villages such as Mustafabad, Raja Jang, and Chunian’s outskirts, women often work alongside men or in women-only teams in the fields, particularly during the sowing and harvesting seasons. Their experience and close relationship with the land have made them natural stewards of soil and seed.
Traditional Soil Care Practices Maintained by Women
Despite limited formal education or technical training, women in Kasur have preserved a wide range of traditional soil health practices. These indigenous methods have been passed down from generation to generation and are deeply rooted in sustainable farming.
1. Use of Organic Manure
Women are largely responsible for collecting cow dung from family-owned livestock, drying it, and preparing it for use as organic fertilizer. They often mix it with crop residues and kitchen waste to prepare compost heaps in backyards.
This homemade farmyard manure is then applied to fields before plowing, improving:
- Soil texture
- Microbial activity
- Nutrient availability
Women also monitor compost pits, stir them regularly, and ensure the right balance of dry and wet materials for efficient decomposition.
2. Green Manuring and Soil Regeneration
In some areas, women manage the planting of green manure crops like berseem or dhaincha during off-seasons. These crops are later plowed back into the soil, enhancing nitrogen content and organic matter. Women also participate in the rotational cropping process, ensuring soil is not exhausted by repeated monoculture.
3. Mulching and Moisture Conservation
To conserve soil moisture, rural women use organic mulching materials such as:
- Dry grass
- Straw from previous harvests
- Leaves collected from farm edges
This practice is particularly helpful in vegetable patches and kitchen gardens. Mulching prevents soil erosion, reduces evaporation, and suppresses weed growth naturally.
4. Weed Control and Pest Monitoring
Women perform regular manual weeding, especially in vegetable fields and wheat crops. Their familiarity with plant health helps them identify early signs of pest infestations or nutrient deficiencies. This local knowledge supports timely, low-input responses such as the use of ash, neem extract, or cow urine mixtures for pest control, methods often overseen by women.
Soil Knowledge Passed Through Generations
Traditional soil wisdom in Kasur is often passed down orally from mother to daughter. Girls learn about:
- Soil types and their suitability for different crops
- Timing for plowing and fertilization
- Natural indicators of soil health (color, smell, moisture retention)
In many homes, older women guide younger ones in the maintenance of kitchen gardens, seed storage, and natural composting. This community-based learning model has helped preserve practices that are not documented in formal agricultural literature.
Challenges Faced by Women Farmers
Despite their deep involvement in soil and farm work, women in rural Kasur face significant obstacles:
- Lack of land ownership and legal rights
- Limited access to agricultural training programs
- Exclusion from government subsidy schemes
- Social norms that restrict their visibility and participation in decision-making
Most extension services are directed toward male farmers, leaving women without updated knowledge of new soil improvement techniques or access to improved tools and inputs.
The Need for Inclusion and Empowerment
Recognizing and supporting women’s role in soil care is not only a matter of equity but also of agricultural sustainability. Policies and programs must be redesigned to:
- Include women in local farmer training sessions and soil health awareness campaigns
- Provide tools and resources tailored to their work patterns
- Support women-led composting and organic input production initiatives
- Establish women farmer cooperatives focused on sustainable soil management
NGOs and rural development departments should document the contributions of women farmers, provide gender-sensitive extension services, and build female leadership in village-level farming committees.
Women in rural Kasur have long been the silent custodians of the district’s agricultural soils. Through their daily labor, knowledge of organic materials, and commitment to sustainable practices, they contribute significantly to farm productivity and environmental health. Their traditional methods, though often informal and undocumented, are crucial to maintaining the soil fertility that feeds thousands.