Source: PIB
Context:
United Nations declares 2026 as International Year of the Woman Farmer
- India hosts Global Conference on Women in Agri-Food Systems (GCWAS–2026)
- Focus: Women’s role in agriculture and food security
- Emphasis: Policy reforms and empowerment
Who are Women Farmers?
- Women engaged across the agricultural value chain:
- Production
- Processing
- Marketing
- Role evolving from:
- Invisible labour → Entrepreneur and decision-maker
DATA POINTS
- 80% of economically active rural women in agriculture
- 33% agricultural labourers
- 48% self-employed farmers
Financial Inclusion
- Under PM-KISAN:
- 25% benefits to women
- ₹1.01 lakh crore transferred
Skill Development
- 2.58 crore women trained (2022–2025)
- Focus:
- Agro-ecology
- Livestock management
Collectivisation
- 1,175 women-only Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)
ROLE OF WOMEN FARMERS
Crop Production
- Activities:
- Sowing
- Weeding
- Transplanting
- Critical in:
- Paddy cultivation
Livestock Management
- Manage:
- Dairy
- Poultry
- Small ruminants
- Example:
- Pashu Sakhis providing veterinary services
Post-Harvest and Value Addition
- Activities:
- Processing
- Packaging
- Marketing
- Example:
- Mushroom cultivation
- Spice processing
Natural Resource Management
- Promote:
- Biodiversity
- Soil health
- Example:
- Natural farming initiatives
Technology Adoption
- Increasing use of:
- Drones
- Modern tools
- Example:
- Namo Drone Didi initiative
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES
Namo Drone Didi Scheme
- 15,000 drones for women SHGs
- 80% central assistance
Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP)
- Sub-scheme under DAY-NRLM
- Focus:
- Skill development
- Capacity building
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)
- 3% interest subvention
- Supports:
- Warehousing
- Cold storage
Krishi Sakhi Programme
- Training 70,000 women
- Role:
- Para-extension workers
Important For:
- NABARD Exam
- UPSC Prelims (Schemes, Agriculture, Reports)
- UPSC Mains GS Paper 3 (Agriculture, Rural Economy)
- UPSC Mains GS Paper 1 (Women and Society)
- Essay (Women Empowerment, Agriculture)
- State PCS Exams
MCQs
Q.1) International Year of the Woman Farmer is:
[1] 2024
[2] 2025
[3] 2026
[4] 2027
[5] 2028
Answer: [3]
Q.2) Percentage of rural women engaged in agriculture is:
[1] 50%
[2] 60%
[3] 70%
[4] 80%
[5] 90%
Answer: [4]
Q.3) MKSP is related to:
[1] Irrigation
[2] Women empowerment in agriculture
[3] Crop insurance
[4] Fertiliser subsidy
[5] Export promotion
Answer: [2]
Q.4) Namo Drone Didi scheme focuses on:
[1] Irrigation
[2] Drone technology for women SHGs
[3] Banking
[4] Insurance
[5] Seeds
Answer: [2]
Q.5) CIWA is related to:
[1] Water management
[2] Women in agriculture
[3] Climate change
[4] Banking
[5] Trade
Answer: [2]
