Women’s Role in Agriculture Shifting from Drudgery to Systematic Work

At the 5th Agri and Commodity Summit in New Delhi, the Agriculture Secretary highlighted that women’s role in agriculture is evolving from manual labour to more organised and systematic participation.

Key Observations

• Women’s participation in agriculture is becoming more structured and professional.
• Changes in land ownership laws across many states have enabled more women to own agricultural land.
• Increasing number of women joining Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
• Women constitute nearly 50% of the rural agricultural workforce.

Structural Challenges

• Many women still lack formal recognition as farmers.
• Around 50–70% of women farmers do not hold land titles in their names.
• Limited access to markets, finance, and value-chain opportunities.
• Need for improved basic amenities and institutional support.

Economic Role of Women

• Women play a crucial role in dairying, which has grown larger in value than grains and pulses.
• Strong involvement in nutrition, food security, and household welfare.
• Increasing contribution through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and rural entrepreneurship.

Policy and Institutional Suggestions

• Formal recognition of women as farmers.
• Greater access to land ownership and financial services.
• Support for women to move up the agricultural value chain.
• Better market linkages and structured support for SHGs.