This blog is jointly written by Disha Arora, Senior Fellow and Santanu Bhowmick, Banyan Impact Fellow for 2023-24 placed in Chhattisgarh Agricon Samiti, Kabirdham.
The Indian Agricultural Ecosystem thrives on the harmonious integration of roles between men and women, where the lines of distinction often blur amidst their shared contributions. However, it is undeniable that women hold a significant stake in this ecosystem, often as the unseen force, and are rarely recognized as equal to male farmers. To date, when we search for a farmer, society will typically refer to male names from the village.
Gender Disparities in Indian Agriculture
As per Census 2011, 55% of female main workers are engaged as agricultural laborers, with an additional 24% as cultivators. Yet, despite their pivotal role in the agricultural landscape, only 12.8% of operational holdings are owned by women, showcasing a glaring gender disparity in land ownership.
The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) further illustrates this divide, with women lagging at 24% compared to men at 54.4%. However, in rural areas, where the heartbeat of Indian agriculture thrives, women’s workforce participation stands notably higher at 30.5%, underscoring their indispensable presence in the fields and farms that feed their households and nation.
Annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) reports reveal that agriculture boasts the highest estimated percentage distribution of female workers, reaching 64.3%, predominantly concentrated in rural areas.
Role of Women in Agriculture
Women comprise 33% of the agricultural labor force and 48% of self-employed farmers in India, and their contributions are undeniable. From cultivating fields to nurturing livestock, they play a multifaceted role in sustaining agricultural livelihoods. It’s estimated that 60–80% of food produced in India can be attributed to the efforts of rural women, underscoring their indispensable role in food security.
Women emerge as custodians of local natural resources and knowledge of biodiversity, adeptly managing crops and livestock and ensuring food security for their families. They also undertake various labor-intensive tasks, from pre-harvesting to tending to crops, weeding, and harvesting to livestock management and post-harvest processing. They are the backbone of the Indian Agricultural Ecosystem, where they lead subsistence farming and meticulously nurture kitchen gardens to provide nutritious meals for their households.
Challenges faced by Women in Agriculture
Despite their substantial involvement, women in agriculture face numerous challenges that hinder their productivity and economic empowerment. One of the primary challenges is limited access to land ownership and tenure rights. Although women perform a significant portion of agricultural labor, they often do not own the land they cultivate. As mentioned earlier, less than 13 percent of women in the agricultural sector own land. This disparity in land ownership is a critical issue, as land rights are fundamental for women’s financial security, access to credit, and overall empowerment.
Access to credit and financial services is another major hurdle. Financial institutions often require land titles as collateral for loans, which many women lack. This restriction reduces their ability to invest in better seeds, fertilizers, and farming equipment, thereby impacting their agricultural productivity and income. Even when credit is available, women may face higher interest rates and less favorable terms compared to men.
Women also experience limited access to education and training in modern agricultural practices. Agricultural extension services and training programs are typically designed with men in mind, leading to a gender gap in knowledge and skills. This gap hinders women’s ability to adopt new technologies and improve their farming practices, perpetuating low productivity and income levels.
In addition, labor burden and time poverty are significant issues. Women are often responsible for both farm work and household chores, leading to long working hours and physical exhaustion. This dual burden reduces their time and energy for engaging in income-generating activities or participating in community decision-making processes.
The lack of access to markets and supply chains further exacerbates the challenges faced by women in agriculture. Women often have limited mobility and face social constraints that restrict their ability to travel to markets. As a result, they may be forced to sell their produce at lower prices to local middlemen, reducing their overall earnings.
Gender discrimination and social norms also significantly limit women’s opportunities in agriculture. Societal expectations often confine women to subordinate roles, and their contributions are undervalued. This discrimination affects their access to resources, decision-making power, and participation in agricultural cooperatives and organizations.
Recognition Matters
Despite their indispensable role, women often face hurdles in attaining recognition as farmers. Many are relegated to the status of laborers on their farms, lacking access to essential resources like land and rights on it, water, credit, and technology. This systemic bias perpetuates a cycle of inequality, hindering both agricultural productivity and the socio-economic empowerment of women.
Moving forward, it’s imperative to address these disparities through a collective approach involving various stakeholders at the grassroots, such as NGOs, civil society organizations, government agencies, self-help groups, youth clubs, Mahila Samiti, etc. Recognizing women as ‘Farmers’ is an important step which provides them with basic entitlement for their profession and enhanced access to resources and opportunities for skill development and training. By recognizing and harnessing their potential, we can foster sustainable agricultural practices by using their rich knowledge, ensure food security, and pave the way for inclusive rural development, eventually leading to an empowered society and a more equitable and prosperous future for all.
