Context

• In a landmark resolution supported by over 100 countries, the United Nations General Assembly has declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, placing global focus on the indispensable role of women in agriculture.
• While this recognition is a step forward, it also draws attention to the deeply entrenched challenges women face in the agricultural sector.
• Therefore, it is important to explore those challenges and the innovative responses being developed, particularly in India, through the lens of recent collaborative projects and policy initiatives. 

The Centrality of Women in Agriculture

• Women are the backbone of food production globally.
• They contribute to 60% to 80% of food production in developing countries and constitute 39% of the agricultural workforce in South Asia.
• In India, a staggering 80% of economically active women are employed in agriculture. Yet, their contributions remain under-recognised and under-rewarded.
• One stark indicator of this disparity is land ownership. Despite their large presence in agricultural work, only 14% of landowners in India are women, and the National Family Health Survey reports an even lower rate of 8.3%.
• This lack of land ownership not only restricts their access to institutional credit but also hampers investments in modern tools and technology, limiting their productivity and economic independence.

Institutional Support and Policy Initiatives

• Recognising these barriers, the Government of India has initiated several programs aimed at supporting women in agriculture.
• The Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana focuses on skill development and enhancing access to resources, while the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation provides significant subsidies on farm machinery.
• Additionally, 30% of the National Food Security Mission’s budget is earmarked for women farmers across various States and Union Territories.
• These initiatives aim to narrow the gender gap in agriculture by promoting sustainable farming practices and facilitating women’s access to credit, inputs, and technologies.
• However, the impact of such programs depends on their reach, quality of implementation, and the creation of enabling ecosystems.

Climate Change and the Gendered Vulnerability

• Climate change is compounding existing gender disparities.
• Women, already burdened with domestic responsibilities, face heightened risks due to erratic weather patterns and agricultural uncertainties.
• Projects like ENACT (Enhancing Climate Adaptation of Vulnerable Communities), implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP) and supported by the Government of Assam and the Norwegian government, are addressing these concerns.
• In the flood-prone regions of Assam, ENACT introduces climate-resilient crop varieties and promotes livelihood diversification.
• By equipping over 300 women farmers with weekly advisories on weather and agriculture through mobile phones, the project exemplifies the use of technology and information dissemination to strengthen resilience.
• The Climate Adaptation Information Centres further this mission by enabling video conferencing and community meetings for knowledge exchange. 

The Way Forward

• Partnerships and Scalable Solutions
  • ENACT demonstrates the power of multi-stakeholder collaboration.
  • By engaging state departments, meteorological institutions, agricultural universities, and rural livelihood missions, it creates an integrated approach to address the vulnerabilities of women farmers.
  • This project also promotes smart seed production systems, market linkages, and the cultivation of nutrient-rich local varieties, enhancing both food security and sustainability.
  • Such interventions show that when women are empowered with knowledge, tools, and networks, they can lead climate adaptation at the grassroots level.
• Need for Gender Equality in Agriculture
  • While initiatives like ENACT are promising, much more is needed to realise gender equity in agriculture.
  • Policy frameworks must be gender-sensitive, informed by granular, sex-disaggregated data, and responsive to the diverse needs of women. This includes:
  • Designing tools and technologies suited to women’s use and scale of operation
  • Expanding access to credit, savings, and insurance mechanisms
  • Supporting women-led agri-value chains and self-help groups
  • Building collective agency and leadership among women farmers

Conclusion

• The declaration of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer presents a historic opportunity to mainstream gender equality in agriculture.
• Women farmers are not just food producers; they are agents of change, resilience, and sustainability.
• By recognising their contributions and addressing systemic inequalities, we can promote a more inclusive, secure, and prosperous future for all.