Context

• 2026 declared International Year of the Woman Farmer by UN General Assembly.
  
  
• Acknowledges women’s vital role in global agriculture, and need to address their challenges like property rights, market access, and institutional support.
  
  

Insights from the Symposium

• Conducted by Royal Norwegian Embassy and UN World Food Programme (WFP) India, supported by Govt. of India.
  
  
• Over 200 participants from diverse sectors shared experiences over six months.
  
  
• Discussions drew from the ENACT project (Assam), focusing on:
  
  
  • Gender-transformative approaches.
    
    
  • Climate adaptation for small/marginal farmers, especially women.
    
    

Current Contributions of Women in Agriculture

• Women form 60–80% of food producers in developing countries.
  
  
• Contribute 39% of agri-labour in South Asia.
  
  
• Only 13% own land; limited access to credit, inputs, tech, training.
  
  
• Invisible in agri-planning and decision-making.
  
  

Challenges Faced

• Limited access to:
  
  
  • Credit (e.g., Kisan Credit Cards).
    
    
  • Mechanization (only 3% ownership).
    
    
  • Agri-extension services, information, and markets.
    
    
• Policy gaps hinder investment and productivity.
  
  

Supportive Measures by Government

• Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Yojana (MKSP): Skilling and resource support.
  
  
• Sub-Mission on Agri Mechanisation: 50–80% subsidy for women farmers.
  
  
• National Food Security Mission: 30% budget allocation to women in some states/UTs.
  
  

ENACT Project in Assam

• Helps women cope with climate disasters like floods and erosion.
  
  
• Promotes:
  
  
  • Climate-resilient seeds.
    
    
  • Livelihood diversification.
    
    
  • Market access and decision-making.
    
    
• Covers 300+ farmers across 7 villages.
  
  

Steps Forward

• Use gender data to inform policy.
  
  
• Promote resilience, technology access, and financial inclusion.
  
  
• Build strong women farmer groups and link them to markets and services.
  
  
• Recognize and integrate women’s agency in agri-value chains.
  
  

Conclusion

• The International Year of the Woman Farmer is an opportunity to:
  
  
  • Ensure gender equity.
    
    
  • Promote inclusive agri-development.
    
    
  • Recognize women’s roles in achieving food security and sustainability.

10-Marker (150 words)

Q1. Discuss the role of women in agriculture and the key challenges they face in contributing to food security in India. Suggest policy measures to empower them.
 (GS II – Governance, GS III – Agriculture, Food Security)