In the last century, India’s agricultural sector has experienced a major transformation, influenced by consumption-driven economics and intensive production systems. The Green Revolution, particularly in the major river basins of northern and western India, became a prime example of this shift, illustrating the success of public and private initiatives launched from the 1960s onwards.
However, amidst this agricultural revolution, one critical element has largely been overlooked: the substantial contribution of women to agriculture in rural India. According to the Annual Periodic Labour Force Survey 2021-2022, 78% of employed women in India work in agriculture, making it the sector with the highest estimated female labor force participation at 62.9%. The Economic Survey 2017-18 also points out that increasing rural-to-urban migration by men has led to a greater feminization of the agricultural sector. This shift has increased the involvement of women in various activities, including planting, harvesting, and managing crops and livestock. Despite their extensive contributions, rural women are often seen merely as laborers on their own farms, not as recognized farmers. Consequently, their contributions remain unrecognized and undervalued, leaving them marginalized and with limited access to resources.
Market Challenges: The Fight for Fair Access
Seema, a farmer from a small village in Maharashtra, exemplifies the struggles faced by women in agriculture. Each harvest season, she depends on intermediaries to sell her produce, receiving only a small fraction of the market price. This dependency on middlemen is a common issue among women farmers, who often fall victim to economic exploitation. According to the Federation of Agrarian Sector (FAS), women like Seema frequently receive significantly less than market value for their produce.
Adding to this challenge is the limited access to credit. Only about 20% of rural women in India have access to institutional credit, compared to 80% of men. This stark disparity restricts their ability to invest in better seeds, fertilizers, and equipment, keeping them trapped in a cycle of low productivity and poverty. The lack of financial resources forces many women to operate at a subsistence level, severely limiting their capacity to improve or expand their farming practices.
Climate Change: An Unpredictable Adversary
Climate change presents a severe challenge for women farmers, with unpredictable weather patterns, prolonged droughts, and severe floods disrupting agricultural cycles and causing devastating crop losses. Many women farmers have witnessed their livelihoods wiped out by floods, plunging them further into poverty. The FAO notes that women are less likely to own land and tend to have smaller landholdings, making them particularly vulnerable to climate-related impacts.
Without secure land ownership, women have little incentive to invest in climate-resilient practices. This vulnerability was evident during the 2019-2020 monsoon season, which brought unprecedented floods to several states. For women farmers, these floods resulted in not just crop loss but also the erosion of their fragile economic stability.
Social Norms: The Hidden Barriers
Social norms and gender roles further complicate the situation for women farmers. In many rural areas, women’s contributions to agriculture are undervalued and often seen as extensions of their domestic duties. This cultural undervaluing leads to a lack of recognition and support. An UNDP study found that social norms such as unequal distribution of household responsibilities, restricted mobility, and limited awareness of their rights make it difficult for women to access training programs, markets, or form farmer groups.
Geeta, a farmer from Uttar Pradesh, is a case in point. Despite working alongside her husband in the fields, her efforts are considered secondary to her domestic chores. This societal perception results in her having little say in financial decisions or access to resources that could enhance her farming efficiency. Although women account for 43% of the agricultural labor force in developing countries, their work is often invisible in official statistics and policy frameworks.
Seeds of Change: Current Reforms and Initiatives
Despite these hurdles, there are promising signs of change through various government reforms and initiatives aimed at supporting women farmers. The Central Institute for Women in Agriculture (CIWA) under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) addresses gender issues in agriculture and implements targeted programs. The Natural Farming Mission in India utilizes Self-Help Groups (SHGs) like Krishi Sakhis and Pashu Sakhis, with women reporting increased income due to reduced input costs and improved crop yields.
Additionally, the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) allocates 30% of its resources to women farmers, supporting the establishment of Farm Women’s Food Security Groups (FSGs) with financial assistance. This has improved access to agricultural resources, training, and financial support, helping women enhance their livelihoods. Women also receive significant representation in advisory committees and benefit from the Central Sector Scheme of Agri. Clinics and Agri. Business Centres (AC&ABC), which provides subsidies to support entrepreneurial activities.
Key Policy Actions Needed to Support Women Farmers
Examples like these showcase the resilience and potential of women farmers, emphasizing the need for gender-specific policy actions to facilitate their socio-economic empowerment. Equal land ownership rights, gender-responsive financial policies, and access to credit are crucial to strengthening women's decision-making power. Bridging the digital divide through improved access to digital devices and connectivity is also essential for modern agricultural practices and market access.
Furthermore, investing in reskilling programs and supportive infrastructure, such as childcare facilities and safe transportation, can alleviate domestic burdens, allowing women to engage more in agricultural activities. Establishing women-friendly markets and cooperatives can help bypass intermediaries, securing fair prices and promoting their economic empowerment.
Building a Sustainable Future
Empowering women in agriculture requires gender-sensitive practices, addressing structural inequalities, and fostering equitable access to opportunities. Collaboration between the government and the private sector can play a pivotal role in this transformation, integrating innovations and streamlining access to support schemes. As India advances towards sustainable development, acknowledging and empowering women in agriculture is crucial to unlocking the transformative potential of rural India, ensuring their invaluable contributions are recognized and rewarded.