Women Farmers in Agriculture (International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026)

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]