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Source: The Hindu

Context

The United Nations General Assembly has named 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer, recognizing women's vital role in global agriculture while raising awareness of their concerns, including property rights and market access.

What hurdles do women farmers encounter in terms of land and credit access?

• Low land ownership restricts entitlements: Despite accounting for approximately 80% of the economically engaged female workers in agriculture, women make up only 14% of landowners in India, and 8.3% according to NFHS data.  For example, a woman working on her family's farms may yet lack legal title, making her ineligible for government subsidies or schemes such as PM-KISAN.
• Women without land titles are frequently rejected for collateral-based loans from banks and formal financial institutions, making it difficult to access credit.  For example, a woman farmer in rural Bihar cannot get a loan for irrigation equipment because she does not have a land deed, forcing her to rely on illegal moneylenders.
• Inadequate Access to Financial Technology and Information: Women have limited access to mobile phones and agricultural advisory, which are required for credit applications and crop planning.  For example, in Assam, women funded by the ENACT initiative did not have timely access to climatic forecasts, making it difficult to plan credit usage for flood-resistant crop seeds.

Contribution of Women in Agriculture

• Women have an important part in agriculture, contributing significantly to food production, rural economies, and environmentally friendly farming practices.
• Nearly 58% of Asia and the Pacific's female labor force works in agriculture.
• In poor nations, women account for 60% to 80% of food production.
• Only 10-20% of women have tenure rights to the land they labor on, highlighting the extent of gender inequality in the sector.
• According to NITI Aayog, approximately 80% of rural women in India work in agriculture, which includes crop production and animal husbandry.

Why 2026 is Declared the International Year of the Woman Farmer

• Recognition of Women’s Contribution in Agriculture:
  Women contribute to 60–80% of food production in developing countries and make up around 39% of the agricultural labour force in South Asia. The year 2026 recognizes their vital, yet often underappreciated, role.
  
• Awareness of Structural Barriers:
  Women face numerous challenges like limited land ownership, inadequate market access, and restricted credit availability.
  
• In India, only 14% of agricultural landowners are women, which limits their ability to access loans and government schemes.
  
• Promotion of Gender Equality and Empowerment:
  The declaration seeks to promote gender-transformative agricultural development by encouraging:
  
• Inclusive policies
• Access to technology
• Participation in self-help groups (SHGs)
• Example: The ENACT project in Assam connects women with agri-experts and mobile-based advisories for climate adaptation.
  

ENACT Project: Empowering Women Farmers in Assam

• Full Form: Enhancing Climate Adaptation of Vulnerable Communities through Nature-based Solutions and Gender-Transformative Approaches
• Support & Funding:
  
• Supported by the World Food Programme (WFP)
• In partnership with the Government of Assam
• Funded by Norway
• Key Benefits to Women Farmers:
  
• Access to Climate-Resilient Information:
  
• Over 300 women farmers in 17 villages of Nagaon receive weekly climate and agricultural advisories via mobile phones.
  
• Promotion of Flood-Resistant Crops:
  
• Introduction of flood-tolerant rice varieties and livelihood diversification.
  
• In Roha village, new varieties survive underwater, improving flood-time yields.
  
• Strengthened Institutional Linkages:
  
• Collaboration with local agri-departments, universities, and meteorological agencies.
  
• Establishment of Climate Adaptation Information Centres equipped with video conferencing for expert interaction.
  

What is the ENACT project? The ENACT project stands for Enhancing Climate Adaptation of Vulnerable Communities through Nature-based Solutions and Gender-Transformative Approaches. Supported by the World Food Programme (WFP), the Government of Assam, and funded by Norway, it empowers women farmers in Nagaon.

What policies support women farmers in India?

Scheme / Mission	Key Focus	Support for Women Farmers	Example
Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP)	Enhances skills, capacity building, and promotes sustainable agriculture	Empowers women farmers through training, SHG support, and improved practices	MKSP supports Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to enhance agricultural practices and income generation
Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation	Promotes use of farm machinery and tools to improve productivity and reduce drudgery	Offers 50% to 80% subsidies on agricultural equipment	Women receive subsidised tools for sowing, weeding, and harvesting, making operations more efficient
National Food Security Mission (NFSM) – Women’s Component	Boosts food production with a dedicated women’s component	30% of budget allocation earmarked for women in selected States/UTs for training, inputs, and seed distribution	Women benefit from training, seed distribution, and input support under the scheme

Way forward

• Secure Land Rights: Ensure that women have legal ownership and management of their land. Without land, access to loans, inputs, and government programs is almost difficult.
• In India, the Hindu Succession Amendment Act of 2005 provides daughters with equal rights to their parents' property.
• The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (also known as the Forest Rights Act of 2006) recognizes forest dwellers' rights to forest land and resources and allows women to co-own land with men.
• Access to Credit and Financial Services: Create microfinance institutions and cooperative banks with flexible terms that respond to women farmers' circumstances, allowing for investment in tools, seeds, and other necessities.
• Capacity Building and Training: Provide skill development in sustainable farming techniques, agribusiness, and climate-resilient practices based on local requirements and timetables.
• Technology and digital tools: Provide mobile platforms for market access, weather updates, and farming guidance to help close the information gap.
• Inclusive Agricultural Policies: Incorporate gender concerns into agricultural policy and involve women in decision-making at all levels, from village councils to national boards.
• Supportive Infrastructure: Increase access to irrigation, storage facilities, transportation, and local markets, which disproportionately affect women living in rural places.
• Farmer Cooperatives and Networks: Encourage women-led cooperatives to raise their voices, share resources, and negotiate better market prices.
• Childcare and Social Support Services: Recognize women's dual roles by developing support systems that allow them to focus on productive employment.

Practice Question Q. Discuss the socio-economic challenges faced by women farmers in India.