Challenges Face India's Women Farmers

Challenges Face India's Women Farmers

Mains Exam: General Studies Paper 3

(Agriculture Economics)

August 26, 2023

Foreword:

  • Women are the backbone of any developed society. 70 percent of the population in India still lives in rural areas. More than 85 percent of rural households depend on agriculture for their livelihood. The contribution of women in agriculture is 65 to 70 percent. But most women are unable to adopt new technology, take advantage of modern scientific methods and attend formal training courses.

Statistics related to Women Farmers:

  • According to a report of the India Human Development Survey, male farmers do agricultural work on 83 percent of the agricultural land in India, while female farmers do agricultural work on only 2 percent of the land.
  • 81 per cent women agricultural laborers belong to SC, ST and OBC and they contribute the most in casual and landless wages.
  • Women are an important force in global agriculture, accounting for about 43 percent of the total agricultural workforce.
  • According to the NSSO report, about 18 percent of the agricultural households in India are headed by women, who lead the agriculture.
  • Women's participation in agriculture and allied activities has become more important due to the increasing migration of rural men in search of better employment opportunities.
  • Women are also actively involved in operations from sowing to harvesting and threshing, cleaning, processing and storage of grains. Their role extends not only to growing crops and rearing animals, but also to food processing and marketing.

Challenges Faced by Women Farmers:

  • Despite having an important role in the agriculture sector, women have to face many difficulties. Illiteracy, ignorance, indifference and superstition increase difficulties in the way of their empowerment.
  • Many women have made their own identity in the society by fighting these obstacles, which is exemplary for others. Women are agricultural laborers and entrepreneurs, but almost everywhere they face greater barriers to access to productivity than men.
  • The biggest challenge faced by women farmers is that they are unable to claim ownership of the land they cultivate.
  • According to the Agriculture Census 2015, about 86 percent of women farmers are deprived of this property, probably because of the patriarchal system established in our society.
  • Lack of land ownership, in particular, does not allow women farmers to approach banks for institutional credit, as banks usually sanction loans on the basis of land.
  • Research around the world shows that women who have access to secure land, formal credit and markets are more likely to invest in crop improvement, increasing productivity, improving household food security and nutrition.
  • Women farmers generally have less access than men to resources, modern tools and resources (seeds, fertilizers, pesticides) to make agriculture more productive.
  • Climate change: Women farmers are also affected by the effects of climate change in the agriculture sector. Their crops may get affected due to erratic weather, lack of rain or increasing heat etc., which may lead to reduction in their income.
  • Lack of agricultural techniques: In many villages, women farmers practice agriculture through traditional methods, which do not allow them to take advantage of modern techniques. This can affect their productivity and income.
  • Financial problems: Women farmers may face financial problems, such as lack of credit, interest rates, non-availability of loans from banks, etc.
  • Social problems: In many places, women farmers have less social identity than men, which can lead to challenges in accessing social security and entitlements.
  • Education and Literacy: Women farmers often face a lack of education and literacy, which may lead to lack of access to modern agricultural techniques and market information.
  • Access to resources: Many times women farmers face difficulties in accessing agricultural resources, such as due to lack of farming equipment, seeds, fertilizers etc.
  • Recognition of the role of women: In many places the contribution of women farmers is not recognized and they are given less importance than men.

Way Forward:

  • Most of the agricultural machinery is such that it is difficult for women to operate it. Manufacturers should be encouraged to come up with a better solution to this problem.
  • There is a need to make women members in co-operative societies, so that they too can get the facility of loans, technical guidance, marketing of agricultural products, etc. from co-operative societies.
  • For women to get institutional loan, there should be a joint lease on the farm in the name of husband and wife.
  • Efforts should be made to increase the efficiency of women and the efficiency of their agricultural tools.
  • Loan provision on flexible terms under the 'Micro Finance' initiative of national banks for agriculture and rural development should be encouraged.
  • Better access to credit, technology and provision of entrepreneurial capabilities will further boost women's confidence and help them get recognized as farmers.
  • The possibility of collective farming can be encouraged to make women self-reliant.
  • Training and skills have been provided to women by some self-help groups and cooperative dairy activities (Saras in Rajasthan and Amul in Gujarat). These can be further developed through Farmer Producer Organisations.
  • In addition, women-centric strategies and dedicated expenditure should be included in government flagship schemes such as the National Food Security Mission, the sub-mission on seeds and planting material, and the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.
  • Agricultural Machinery Banks and Custom Recruitment Centers promoted by State Governments may be created to provide subsidized services to women farmers.
  • Krishi Vigyan Kendras in each district may be assigned an additional task of educating and training women farmers about innovative technology along with extension services.
  • Equal resource access, credit availability and decision-making power should be ensured for women by governments and various organizations.
  • Land ownership reforms that prioritize women's rights and insurance mechanisms tailored to women's needs can enhance their protection against climate-related risks.
  • Ensuring adequate social cover for women engaged in agriculture is another indispensable factor in modern sustainable farming. This will ensure that women have a strong support system to manage work as well as household responsibilities, child rearing and financial burden. Empowering women associated with the agriculture sector can make agriculture more productive and sustainable.
  • Their direct and indirect contribution will help in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals, which are interlinked to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and every contribution counts for overall development.
  • Personal, physical, social and technical aspects of development should be taken care of to involve women in agriculture in future also.
  • Technologically aided women in agriculture will have higher innovation, confidence and decision making ability, which helps in empowering them economically, socially, personally and psychologically. Today's technology-friendly feminization in agriculture will create an environment of poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, decent work and economic growth, less inequality.
  • According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, ensuring equal access to productive resources for women and men farmers could increase agricultural production in developing countries by 2.5 to 4 percent.
  • It is important to have women-friendly equipment and machinery for various agricultural operations.

Conclusions:

  • To get solutions to these challenges, society, government and related organizations need to provide support to women farmers for their upliftment and prosperity.
  • Recognizing the important role of women in agriculture, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has declared October 15 every year as 'Women Farmers Day'.
  • The government has also started the Women Farmers Empowerment Project. It is a sub-component of the 'Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission', which aims to improve the current status of women in agriculture and increase the opportunities available to empower them.
  • The scheme seeks to mark the identity of the 'woman' as a 'farmer' and build the capacity of women in the agriculture sector.
  • It aims to reach out to the poorest of the poor and expand the scope of activities currently undertaken by 'Mahila Kisan'

Mains Exam Question

Discuss the challenges faced by women farmers in India and their solutions.