UN Declares 2026 as International Year of the Woman Farmer

The United Nations General Assembly has designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, with support from over 100 co-sponsoring countries. This historic resolution acknowledges women’s critical contributions to global agriculture and calls attention to the persistent challenges they face, including limited land rights, restricted access to markets, and climate vulnerabilities.

Key Statistics:

• Women produce 60–80% of food in developing countries.
• They represent 39% of agricultural labour in South Asia.
• In India, women comprise 80% of economically active workers in agriculture, but own only:
  • 14% of agricultural land
  • 8.3%, as per the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS)

Challenges Faced by Women Farmers

• Limited land ownership reduces access to credit and insurance.
• Technology gap restricts access to mobile-based advisories.
• Undervalued labour and limited role in decision-making.
• Climate change increases their household and farming burdens.

Government Initiatives in India

• Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP): Skill-building and resource access.
• Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation: 50–80% subsidy for equipment.
• National Food Security Mission (NFSM): 30% budget allocation for women in several States/UTs.

Innovative Approach: ENACT Project (Assam)

• Full Form: Enhancing Climate Adaptation of Vulnerable Communities through Nature-based Solutions and Gender Transformative Approaches.
• Location: Nagaon district, Assam.
• Implemented by: UN World Food Programme (WFP) with the Government of Assam.
• Funded by: Government of Norway.
• Key Features:
  • Weekly climate-smart advisories via mobile phones
  • Flood-resilient crop varieties (e.g., submergence-tolerant rice)
  • Women’s smart seed production and market linkage systems
  • Climate Adaptation Information Centres for knowledge dissemination

Outcomes and Impact:

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• Over 300 women farmers connected via IT-based platforms in 17 villages.
• Improved access to climate-resilient practices and technologies.
• Community-led climate adaptation and livelihood diversification models.

Recommendations and Policy Directions:

• Collect granular, gender-disaggregated data for targeted interventions.
• Design credit tools and agri-equipment suited to women’s needs.
• Strengthen agri-value chains owned and operated by women.
• Promote collective action, self-help groups, and market access.
• Integrate women in climate resilience planning, seed systems, and food processing.