The expansion of area cultivated with non-food grain crops was a significant factor influencing the growth of rural non-farm employment in the state. 90 percent of the population of Himachal Pradesh resides in rural areas as of the latest census, and 88 percent are small and marginal farmers. The average operational land holding is less than one hectare. About 70 percent of the state’s overall employment is in agriculture and the rural economy.
Women are significant contributors in agriculture, horticulture, and livestock/dairying sectors. In horticulture, women continue to provide significant labor and supervisory input to preharvest and post-harvest activities. However, their access to horticulture technologies and extension services, market infrastructure/information, skill and entrepreneurship development opportunities and decision making structures remains weak