Feminization of agriculture

Published on 04 Mar 2025

Feminization of agriculture refers to the increasing participation of women in the agricultural sector, particularly in developing countries.

Trends of the feminization of Agriculture in India

• Significant female workforce: With 98 million women constituting 37% of the 263 million agricultural workers, India has a substantial female presence in the sector.

• Shift in roles: Traditionally relegated to domestic chores, women are increasingly taking up cultivation and labour roles, as evident in the 85 million new agricultural workers since 1991, with 58% being women.

• Disparity in land ownership: While women's participation has increased, land ownership remains predominantly male-centric, as shown by the 2 million increase in female cultivators compared to a 3 million decrease in male cultivators between 1991 and 2011.

• Regional disparities: States like Tamil Nadu, Manipur, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra exhibit higher female participation, with women accounting for over half of the agricultural labour force in these regions.

• Dominance in livestock: Women's involvement in livestock is more pronounced, with their share increasing from 60% in 1983-84 to 70% in 1999-2000 for poultry.

Causes of the feminization of agriculture 

• Push Factors

• Large-scale migration of male labour: The rapid industrialization in urban centres, particularly in states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, has led to a significant exodus of young men seeking employment in factories, construction, and service sectors.

• Mechanization of agriculture: The introduction of tractors, harvesters, and other machinery has reduced the demand for male labour in tasks like ploughing and harvesting, pushing women to take up the remaining agricultural chores.

• Land fragmentation due to inheritance laws: The Hindu Succession Act, while progressive in many ways, has led to the division of landholdings among multiple heirs, resulting in smaller, less viable farms. This has made it difficult for men to sustain their livelihood solely through agriculture, forcing them to seek alternative income sources.

• Pull Factors

• Wage disparities: Women are often paid significantly less than men for similar agricultural work, making them a cheaper labour option for farmers.

• Deep-rooted gender roles: Traditional norms and customs in rural India assign agricultural work primarily to women, while men are expected to handle livestock, marketing, and household finances.

• Economic vulnerability: Due to limited access to education, skills, and financial resources, women in rural India are often dependent on agriculture for their livelihood.

• Other Factors

• Government schemes: Programs like the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) have created employment opportunities for rural women, including in agriculture-related activities.

• Microfinance and SHGs: The proliferation of microfinance institutions and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) has empowered women economically, enabling them to invest in agriculture.

Challenges faced by women in agriculture

• Limited land ownership: Despite being the primary cultivators, women often lack legal ownership of land, as highlighted by the NSSO data showing only 12.8% of operational holdings owned by women.

• Lack of access to credit: Traditional banking systems often discriminate against women farmers, coupled with limited land ownership, restricts access to formal credit, forcing them to rely on high-interest informal loans.

• Fragmentation of landholdings: Due to inheritance laws and population pressure, landholdings for women farmers are often small and fragmented, leading to low productivity and vulnerability.

• Inadequate training and skill development: Societal norms often restrict women's access to agricultural training, limiting their knowledge of modern farming practices and reducing yields.

• Heavy workload and low remuneration: Women farmers often juggle agricultural work with domestic chores, receiving little recognition or pay for their labour, leading to physical and mental exhaustion.

• Limited access to machinery and technology: The design of farm machinery often excludes women, coupled with gender biases, hinders their efficiency and increases reliance on male labour.

• Unequal access to resources: Discriminatory practices limit women's access to quality seeds, fertilizers, and other inputs, impacting their crop yields and incomes.

Measures to address the challenges faced by women in Agriculture

• Empowering Women Farmers

• Land Reforms: Expediting land reforms to ensure women's property rights and access to land ownership, including under the Forest Rights Act.

• SHG-Bank Linkage: Strengthening Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and promoting their linkage with banks for easier access to credit.

• Kisan Credit Cards: Increasing the issuance of Kisan Credit Cards to women farmers to enhance their financial inclusion.

• Skill Development: Implementing targeted skill development programs under schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) for women in agriculture.

• Digital Literacy: Promoting digital literacy among women farmers to facilitate access to agricultural information and market linkages.

• Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs): Encouraging the formation of women-led FPOs to improve market access and bargaining power.

• Changing Social Norms and Attitudes

• Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao: Strengthening the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme to improve the status of girls and women in rural areas.

• Mahila Kisan Diwas: Celebrating Mahila Kisan Diwas to recognize the contributions of women farmers and raise awareness about their issues.

• Anganwadi Centres: Utilizing Anganwadi centres for spreading awareness about women's rights and gender equality in agriculture.

• Women's Self-Help Groups (WSHGs): Fostering WSHGs as platforms for women to discuss agricultural issues, share knowledge, and build confidence.

• Policy and Institutional Support

• Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Yojana: Effective implementation of the Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Yojana to provide financial assistance to women farmers.

• Gender Budgeting: Incorporating gender budgeting in agricultural schemes to ensure adequate allocation of funds for women-specific initiatives.

• Women's Representation: Increasing women's representation in agricultural extension services and decision-making bodies.

• State-Specific Policies: Developing state-specific policies to address the unique challenges faced by women farmers in different regions.

• Addressing Specific Challenges

• Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Providing training and resources to women farmers on climate-resilient agricultural practices.

• Access to Irrigation: Prioritizing women farmers in the distribution of irrigation water, especially in drought-prone areas.

• Post-Harvest Management: Establishing women-centric post-harvest infrastructure and processing units.

• Health and Safety: Promoting women's health and safety through awareness campaigns and access to healthcare facilities.

Tags:
Economy

Keywords:
Agriculture Feminization of agriculture Women in Agriculture Gender justice Employment Labour force

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 3

Topics:
Indian Economy