IAS/UPSC Coaching Institute  

10 Jun 2025 : Empowering women in agriculture for food security

Editorial 1: Empowering women in agriculture for food security

Context

The International Year of the Woman Farmer (2026) must champion resilient agriculture and gender equality by empowering women in farming.

 

 

Introduction

The UN General Assembly has declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, with backing from over 100 co-sponsors. The resolution highlights women's crucial role in global agriculture and brings attention to the challenges they face, such as limited property rights and restricted market access.

  • The article presents key insights from a symposium on women in agriculture organised by the Royal Norwegian Embassy and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) in India, with support from the Government of India.
  • It reflects discussions held over six months, involving 200 participants from diverse fields focused on the challenges faced by women in agriculture.
  • Some findings are drawn from the ENACT project (Enhancing Climate Adaptation of Vulnerable Communities through Nature-based Solutions and Gender Transformative Approaches), implemented in Assam’s Nagaon district by the WFP and Government of Assam.
  • The project empowers smallholder women farmers by improving access to climate-related information and helping them make informed decisions to boost climate resilience.
  • Funded by the Government of Norway, the project supports its broader strategy to promote food self-sufficiency, strengthen women’s rights, and enhance their role in food production.

 

Ownership, control and access

Parameter

Details

Global Contribution

Women contribute to 60–80% of food production in developing countries and make up 39% of agricultural labour in South Asia.

India’s Workforce

80% of economically active women in India work in agriculture.

Land Ownership

Only 14% of landowners are women; NFHS data shows even lower ownership at 8.3%.

Key Challenges

- Limited land ownership restricts access to credit and financial institutions.
- Poor access to technology (e.g., mobile phones) hinders advisory services.
- These barriers reduce investment, technology use, and livelihood improvement.

Existing Support

- Microfinance/Self-Help Groups: Offer loans, but often inadequate for large investments.

Government Initiatives

- Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana: Skill building and resource access for women farmers.
- Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation: Offers 50–80% subsidies for machinery.
- National Food Security Mission: Allocates 30% of its budget for women farmers in several States/UTs.

 

Impact of Climate Change on Women Farmers

  • Disproportionate burden: Climate change increases women farmers' domestic workload and agricultural risks.
  • Example: Nirmali Bora Hazarika from Roha village, Nagaon says, “Rapid weather changes affect our crops. The flood-resistant variety introduced by the project offers hope for a better harvest.”

 

Climate Adaptation through Women-Led Initiatives

Project/Initiative

Key Features

ENACT Project

- Empowers women farmers through climate adaptation models at village/community levels.
- Reaches over 300 farmers in 17 villages of Nagaon, Assam.

Information Delivery

- Weekly agri-climate advisories sent via mobile phones.
- Climate Adaptation Information Centres support learning via video conferencing and community meetings.

Technology Use

Combines technical expertise, information services, and social behaviour change for scalable impact.

Partnerships

Collaborates with:
- State & district administrations (Agriculture Dept., Rural Livelihood Missions)
- Meteorology & Environment Departments
- Agricultural universities for climate-resilient crops

 

Strategies for Resilience and Sustainability

  • Flood-resistant rice varieties are promoted to reduce climate-related losses.
  • Livelihood diversification and market linkages help reduce reliance on single crops.
  • Women’s groups are involved in community-based smart seed production.
  • The project strengthens rural ecosystems by aligning solutions with local needs and capacities.

 

Conclusion

Policy design and implementation must address the specific needs of women farmers, guided by granular, gender-disaggregated data. Tailored solutions—ranging from improved farming tools to financial inclusion and credit practices—are essential. Strengthening agri-value chains led by and for women, along with enhancing their access to finance, information, and collective networks like self-help groups, is crucial. The designation of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer offers a timely opportunity to advance gender equality and resilient agricultural growth by recognising and empowering women’s vital role in food security, economic development, and sustainability.