Equal access to resources for men and women might boost global agricultural productivity by about a third. 150 million more people would be fed and not go hungry. India’s rising agricultural workforce is vital to food and economic growth…
Providing women with equal access to resources like men may boost worldwide agricultural productivity by roughly a third, according to most experts. At least 150 million more people would be fed and not go hungry. As India grows rapidly despite the COVID-19 epidemic and other hurdles, vigorous agricultural growth is essential for food and nutritional security and economic prosperity. To achieve this, the government must boost women-led agricultural growth in India to usher in a prosperous era, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Amrit Kaal.”
With a growing population, the world must fight climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide sustainable energy supplies. Women will be crucial to solving these problems. At the recent G20 New Delhi declaration, world leaders pledged to work together to provide safe, nutritious, and cheap food to all. These pledges include investing heavily in sustainable agriculture, encouraging agricultural technology research and development, enhancing market access for agricultural products, and addressing food insecurity.
India’s focus on “driving gender-inclusive climate action” and “women-led development” is crucial. The ministry of women and child development prioritizes “women and girls as change-makers in climate resilience action” among four categories.
Contrary to popular belief, agriculture is no longer male-dominated. At least 43% of India’s farming workforce is female, and they grow seedlings, plant, harvest, weed, and market farm produce in addition to their family duties. According to estimates, 70% of rural women work in agriculture, contributing to India’s record 3235.54 lakh tonnes of food grain production.
Women’s landholdings in India average less than a hectare, compared to men’s 1.18 hectares, and legal constraints prevent them from controlling their produce. Due to cultural and societal traditions, women in India rarely own or inherit land, despite legal rights. Women have trouble getting land titles because patriarchy favors male inheritance. Many women farmers work on land owned by their male family members, limiting their decision-making and economic autonomy. Empowering women requires concerted efforts, and many women are leading.
Access to vital resources and services is difficult for Indian women farmers. Limited financing, agricultural inputs, technology, and extension services are available. Financial inclusion and modern agricultural practise are hindered by financial institutions and government initiatives that don’t cater to women farmers. By intentionally hiring more women to work with women farmers and provide information and services, private sector agriculture actors can help. In fact, the private sector is working hard to hire more women.
Rural women in India have few educational options, which limits their ability to use contemporary farming methods, technologies, and market information. Lack of knowledge and skills hinders production and agricultural adaptation. Women in agriculture can be empowered via education and vocational training programs.
Women in agriculture are devalued and unrewarded. They often work for free, resulting in economic discrepancies with men. Limited market access, information, and bargaining power worsen women farmers’ income discrepancies. Traditional gender roles and culture place women in inferior roles in farming homes. Awareness and capacity-building must address them.
AI and digital tools in agriculture provide huge prospects to minimize drudgery and boost women’s productivity. It has decreased the need for gender-specific gadgets because women can use drones easily. Women drone pilots can easily spray. Gender-neutral technologies and services and societal issues to increase women’s participation require innovative public-private collaborations.
Technology in agriculture is rising, thus reaching women farmers requires a specialized strategy. The 2011 census by the registrar general of India counted 3.60 crore women farmers and 6.15 crore women agricultural laborers. In 2018-19, the ministry of agriculture and farmers welfare established the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY-RAFTAAR) ‘Innovation and Agri-Entrepreneurship Development’ initiative. 173 women-owned firms and entrepreneurs have received program support.
Empowering women in a supportive environment is essential to attaining all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG2 to end world poverty and malnutrition. The recent decade has seen several initiatives to empower women farmers. The central government stressed ‘Gender Mainstreaming in Agriculture,’ providing rural women with resources and initiatives. Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science Application Network (Biotech-KISAN) provides scientific solutions to northeastern farmers, notably women farmers.
The Ministry of Rural Development launched the “Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP)” scheme as part of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana—National Rural Livelihoods Mission. This program invests in women to boost their productivity and build sustainable lives. The ministry of agriculture & farmers welfare and ministry of rural development initiatives teach women farmers in cutting-edge agricultural and associated methods.
A women-led development paradigm requires women’s participation in local and national governance. Their participation in climate change decision-making is vital for adaptation and mitigation efforts.
The hand that rocks the cradle may also fly drones and use digital technologies to advance Indian agriculture. Let’s honor rural women and try to close the gender gap on this international day.
Conclusion
Equal access to resources for women and men may boost global agricultural productivity by roughly a third, feeding 150 million more people and preventing hunger. India’s rising agricultural workforce is vital to food and economic growth. Women farmers struggle to get loans, agricultural inputs, technology, and extension services. Private sector companies can empower women through education and vocational training, while AI and digital tools can boost agricultural productivity. To empower women, the central government promoted ‘Gender Mainstreaming in Agriculture’ and created ‘Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana’ A women-led development paradigm is needed to include women in governance and climate change decisions.
