Although constrained by domestic work and childcare, no restrictions are placed on their participation in outside work. This is demonstrated by the presence of women in agricultural fields, small textile and lacquer manufacturing units, and local markets in rural and urban areas. Nevertheless, women's labour force participation and ability to participate in income-generating activities are limited because of the heavy workloads they already carry on account of their responsibilities for domestic work. The gender-based division of labour places an undue burden on women. Men acknowledge the fact that women's workloads are heavier than theirs.
Men are responsible for land preparation, irrigation, fertilizer application, and marketing.
Although preparation of the land for agriculture is undertaken mostly by men, shortages of family labour often compel women to assist men in this activity as well. Women are commonly responsible for sowing, paddy transplanting, weeding, harvesting, and processing. They also develop and maintain home gardens and market the products. Both men and women are responsible for collecting fuelwood and non-timber forest products. Timber is collected by men and women share the tasks of stall feeding, watering, cleaning the sheds, and fetching fodder.