FEMINISATION OF AGRICULTURE: EMPOWERMENT OR GENDER DISPARITY

GS III: Agriculture

What is Feminisation of Agriculture?

The feminisation of agriculture refers to the increasing role of women in farming due to male migration for better job opportunities. While this trend expands women’s participation, it also raises concerns about gender inequality in agriculture.

Women’s Role in Agriculture

• 63% of India’s agricultural workforce consists of women, yet they lack land ownership and financial access.
• 76% of rural women are engaged in farming, but only 11.72% of agricultural land is operated by them.

Causes of Feminisation of Agriculture

1. Male Migration: Economic struggles push men to migrate, leaving women in charge of farms.
2. Agricultural Crisis: Low productivity, high costs, and climate issues force women to take on farming responsibilities.
3. Limited Non-Farm Jobs: Rural women remain in agriculture due to a lack of alternative employment opportunities.

Barriers to Women’s Empowerment

• Double Burden: Women handle both farm work and unpaid household duties.
• Limited Decision-Making Power: Women rarely influence crop choices or resource allocation.
• Land Ownership Inequality: Only 8.4% of Indian women own land due to cultural and legal barriers.
• Restricted Credit Access: Without land as collateral, women struggle to secure loans, limiting investment in farming.
• Economic Vulnerability: Women without land and financial independence are at higher risk of poverty.

Benefits of Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture

• Higher Productivity: Equal access to resources could boost farm output by 20-30%.
• Greater Autonomy: Land ownership enhances women’s participation in household and farm decisions.
• Improved Living Standards: Financial independence reduces poverty and increases economic security.

Strategies for Women’s Empowerment

• Policy Reforms: Integrate gender-sensitive policies on land rights and credit access.
• Equal Land Distribution: Strengthen laws to ensure women’s land ownership.
• Financial Inclusion: Provide subsidies, loans, and modern farming technology to women farmers.
• Community-Based Models: Expand initiatives like Kerala’s Kudumbashree, which fosters women-led agricultural groups.
• Climate Resilience Policies: Tailor climate policies to support women farmers in adapting to environmental changes.
• Women’s Collectives: Encourage self-help groups to help women transition from laborers to independent cultivators.

While the feminisation of agriculture increases women’s role in farming, ensuring land rights, financial access, and policy support is crucial for true empowerment rather than deepening gender disparity.