Addressing the 'Feminization of Agriculture' in Rural India
GS1GS3
As male migration to urban centers increases, women are becoming the backbone of Indian agriculture, now comprising over 75% of the workforce in several states. This shift necessitates urgent policy interventions in land ownership, institutional credit, and gender-sensitive technology.
The term 'Feminization of Agriculture' refers to the increasing participation of women in the agricultural sector, both as laborers and as managers of farms. According to a recent national report, women now constitute over 75% of the agricultural workforce in several Indian states. This phenomenon is primarily driven by the large-scale out-migration of men from rural areas to urban centers in search of more lucrative non-farm employment, leaving the responsibility of food production largely to women.
While women are increasingly taking on the mantle of cultivation, they face significant structural barriers that hinder their productivity and economic independence. The most critical issue is the lack of land ownership; despite their dominant role in the fields, only about 13% of women own the land they till. This lack of legal title prevents them from accessing institutional credit, such as the Kisan Credit Card (KCC), and government subsidies, as these benefits are often tied to land ownership records.
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This article was curated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical facts from official sources.