The Feminisation of Agriculture and Women's Rights

The theme for International Women's Day 2026 aligns with the International Year of the Woman Farmer, focusing on legal reforms and equal rights for women in agriculture. Despite reforms, women's access to land ownership remains limited due to social norms, patrilineal inheritance, and administrative hurdles.

Challenges Faced by Women in Agriculture

• Legal and Social Barriers: 
  • Limited legal recognition of women as farmers.
  • Systemic barriers to institutional credit and agricultural services.
• Health and Nutrition Issues: 
  • High burden of malnutrition and anaemia among women.
  • Lack of diverse and nutritious diets in rural households.
• Structural Disconnect: 
  • Women contribute significantly to agri-food systems but lack formal recognition.

Systemic Exclusion in Agriculture

With increased migration by men, agriculture is becoming 'feminised', with women taking on more responsibilities. However, heavy workloads and lack of access to technologies strain women's health and nutritional outcomes. This highlights a structural disconnect that perpetuates women's exclusion from formal agricultural recognition.

Nutritional and Health Challenges

Women in agriculture face severe health issues due to heavy workloads, especially during peak seasons. Malnutrition and anaemia among women and girls remain high, with diets lacking in pulses, fruits, and vegetables. This impacts women’s health and has intergenerational consequences on child development.

Policy and Programme Challenges

India's right-to-food framework provides subsidised nutrition, but improvements in women's nutrition are uneven. Current programmes often focus on cereal-centric diets, lacking integration of nutrient-dense foods. Digitalisation and overburdened staff also limit the effectiveness of food security programmes.

Recommendations and Priorities

• Visibility and Recognition: 
  • Collect and use gender-disaggregated data in policies.
  • Recognize diverse roles of women in agriculture irrespective of land ownership.
• Strengthening Rights: 
  • Promote joint spousal land titles and gender-sensitive registration processes.
  • Enhance women's management of common lands and resources.
• Align Food Systems with Nutrition Goals: 
  • Promote cultivation of diverse crops through public procurement policies.
  • Encourage community-driven approaches like kitchen gardens.
• Access to Technology and Services: 
  • Provide labor-saving tools and equitable extension services.
  • Equip women with knowledge and technologies for informed decision-making.

Empowering Women Farmers

By securing women's land rights and access to agricultural resources, they can influence agricultural practices, improve diets, and enhance food security. Empowering women in agriculture is crucial for equitable development and resilience.

Conclusion

Recognizing women as farmers and ensuring their rights to land and productive resources are essential steps toward creating a more equitable and nourished India. Addressing systemic inequalities in agri-food systems can empower women and improve outcomes for entire communities.