Current Status of Women in Agriculture:

Context:

• Feminisation of agriculture is a growing trend in India, with women constituting over 42% of the agricultural workforce.
• Despite increased participation, women remain trapped in unpaid, low-value roles due to structural inequities.
• The issue holds critical significance for India’s economic ambitions, gender equity, and agricultural transformation.

Current Status of Women in Agriculture:

• Women’s employment in agriculture ↑ 135% in the past decade.
• 2/3rd of working women are engaged in agriculture.
• 1 in 3 working women is unpaid; 59 million women work as unpaid family labourers.
• Land ownership among women: only 13–14% of holdings.
• Wage gap: 20–30% less than men for equivalent work.
• Agriculture’s share in GVA declined from 3% (2017–18) to 14.4% (2024–25) → shows rising participation without rising income.

Structural Barriers:

1. Legal & Institutional: Lack of recognition as farmers, limited land titles.
2. Economic: Unequal wages, limited access to credit, insurance, and subsidies.
3. Social: Gender norms restricting decision-making power.
4. Technological: Low digital literacy and limited access to devices.

Opportunities for Transformation:

1. Trade & Market Linkages:
   • India–UK FTA projected to boost agri-exports by 20% in 3 years.
   • Women can shift into processing, branding, and export-oriented value chains (spices, millets, tea, organic produce).
   • GI tags and export facilitation can help women move from subsistence to premium markets.
2. Digital Innovations:
   • e-NAM, mobile advisories, precision agriculture tools → connect women to markets & services.
   • AI-enabled platforms: BHASHINI, Jugalbandi (AI4Bharat–Microsoft) → multilingual, inclusive access.
   • NGO/Corporate initiatives: Digital Sakhi (L&T Finance) → boosts digital and financial literacy.
3. Successful State Models:
   • Odisha’s Swayam Sampurna FPOs – women-led export competitiveness.
   • Rajasthan’s Jhalawari Mahila Kisan Producer Co. – digital direct sales & branding.
   • Assam’s Tea Sector Programs – training women in diverse roles.

Policy Measures Needed:

• Land & Labour Reforms:
  • Promote joint/individual land ownership for women.
  • Ensure equal wages and recognition as independent farmers.
• Financial Inclusion:
  • Tailored credit, insurance, and subsidy schemes for women farmers.
  • Strengthen linkages with SHGs & FPOs.
• Capacity Building:
  • Training in processing, packaging, branding, export standards.
  • Promote women entrepreneurs in agri-business value chains.
• Technology Access:
  • Affordable digital devices, language support, rural internet infrastructure.
  • Public-private partnerships for inclusive digital platforms.

Way Forward:

• Mainstreaming women in agriculture is not just a social justice issue but an economic imperative.
• By moving women from unpaid labour to high-value roles in processing, branding, and exports, India can:
  • Reduce gender inequity,
  • Enhance rural incomes, and
  • Strengthen global competitiveness in agriculture.

Thus, women-led agricultural transformation can act as a structural game-changer for achieving Atmanirbhar Bharat and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).