The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 10th June 2025

Empowering women in agriculture for food security

Why in News?

The United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer to highlight the importance of women in agriculture and the need for gender equality and resilient agricultural practices.

Introduction

The UN General Assembly, supported by over 100 co-sponsors, has declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer. This resolution aims to recognize and address the vital role women play in global agriculture and the challenges they face, such as limited property rights and restricted market access.

The article summarizes key insights from a symposium on women in agriculture organized by the Royal Norwegian Embassy and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) in India, with the support of the Government of India. The discussions, involving 200 participants from various fields, focused on the issues faced by women in agriculture over a span of six months. Some findings are based on the ENACT project in Assam's Nagaon district, which aims to empower smallholder women farmers by improving their access to climate-related information and enhancing their decision-making capabilities for better climate resilience. Funded by the Government of Norway, this project aligns with the broader strategy to promote food self-sufficiency, strengthen women's rights, and enhance their role in food production.

Ownership, Control, and Access

Impact of Climate Change on Women Farmers

• Climate change disproportionately affects women farmers by increasing their domestic workload and agricultural risks.
• For instance, Nirmali Bora Hazarika from Roha village in Nagaon explains how rapid weather changes impact their crops. The introduction of flood-resistant rice varieties by the ENACT project offers hope for better harvests amid these challenges.

Climate Adaptation through Women-Led Initiatives

Strategies for Resilience and Sustainability

• Promotion of flood-resistant rice varieties to mitigate climate-related losses.
• Encouragement of livelihood diversification and establishment of market linkages to reduce dependence on single crops.
• Involvement of women's groups in community-based smart seed production initiatives.
• Strengthening of rural ecosystems by aligning project solutions with local needs and capacities.

Conclusion

To enhance the livelihoods of women farmers, it is crucial to design and implement policies that address their specific needs, guided by detailed gender-disaggregated data. Tailored solutions, such as improved farming tools, financial inclusion, and better credit practices, are essential. Strengthening agri-value chains led by and for women, along with improving their access to finance, information, and collective networks like self-help groups, is vital. The recognition of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer presents a timely opportunity to advance gender equality and resilient agricultural growth by acknowledging and empowering the significant role of women in food security, economic development, and sustainability.

Tighten the process

Why is it News?

The UN General Assembly has designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer to highlight and address the pivotal role of women in agriculture worldwide. 

•  This initiative, supported by over 100 countries, aims to bring attention to the challenges women farmers face, such as limited land ownership and restricted access to markets, while promoting their essential contributions to food production. 
•  The article reflects insights from a symposium organized by the Royal Norwegian Embassy and the UN World Food Programme in India, focusing on the findings from the ENACT project in Assam, which empowers women farmers through improved access to climate-related information and resources. 

Introduction

• The UN General Assembly has announced 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, highlighting the vital role of women in global agriculture and the challenges they face, such as limited land ownership and market access.
• The article discusses insights from a symposium on women in agriculture organized by the Royal Norwegian Embassy and the UN World Food Programme in India, focusing on the ENACT project in Assam, which empowers women farmers with climate-related information and resources.

Ownership, Control, and Access

Women are integral to agriculture, yet they face significant challenges due to limited land ownership and access to resources. Here are some key points regarding their contribution and the barriers they encounter:

• Global Contribution: Women play a crucial role in food production, contributing to 60-80% of it in developing countries, and constitute 39% of agricultural labor in South Asia.
• India's Workforce:. staggering 80% of economically active women in India are employed in agriculture.
• Land Ownership: Women own only 14% of agricultural land, with the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) indicating even lower ownership at 8.3%. This lack of ownership restricts their access to credit and financial institutions.
• Key Challenges: Women face several barriers, including:
  •  - Limited land ownership, which hinders access to credit and financial resources. 
  • - Poor access to technology, such as mobile phones, which affects their ability to receive advisory services.
  •  - These challenges collectively reduce their capacity to invest, utilize technology, and improve their livelihoods. 
• Existing Support: While microfinance and self-help groups provide loans to women, these are often insufficient for making large-scale investments needed for agricultural advancement.
• Government Initiatives: Several government programs aim to support women farmers, including:
  •  - Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana: This initiative focuses on skill building and improving resource access for women farmers.
  • - Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation: This program offers subsidies ranging from 50% to 80% for agricultural machinery, helping women reduce their labor burden and increase efficiency.
  •  - National Food Security Mission: This mission allocates 30% of its budget to support women farmers in various States and Union Territories, ensuring they receive the necessary assistance to enhance their agricultural productivity.

Overall, addressing these challenges and enhancing support for women farmers is crucial for improving agricultural productivity and ensuring food security.

Impact of Climate Change on Women Farmers

Climate change significantly impacts women farmers, often exacerbating their already heavy domestic and agricultural workloads. For instance, Nirmali Bora Hazarika, a farmer from Roha village in Nagaon, highlights how rapid weather changes adversely affect crop yields. In response to these challenges, initiatives like the introduction of flood-resistant rice varieties by projects such as ENACT offer hope for improving harvests and enhancing resilience.

Climate Adaptation through Women-Led Initiatives

Strategies for Resilience and Sustainability

• Promotion of flood-resistant rice varieties to mitigate climate-induced losses.
• Encouragement of livelihood diversification and market linkages to reduce dependence on a single crop.
• Involvement of women's groups in community-based smart seed production.
• Strengthening of rural ecosystems by aligning solutions with local needs and capacities.

Conclusion

• Addressing the specific needs of women farmers is crucial for effective policy design and implementation.
• Policies should be guided by detailed, gender-disaggregated data to ensure tailored solutions.
• Solutions may include improving farming tools, enhancing financial inclusion, and adopting better credit practices.
• Strengthening agri-value chains led by and for women is essential, along with improving their access to finance, information, and collective networks like self-help groups.
• The recognition of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer presents a timely opportunity to promote gender equality and resilient agricultural growth.
• Empowering women in agriculture is vital for food security, economic development, and sustainability.