Status of Women in Agri-Food System in India

The status of women in the agri-food system in India is complex and multifaceted. While women play a critical role in agriculture and food production, their contribution often goes unrecognized and undervalued.

In India, women make up about 75% of the rural workforce and are involved in various aspects of agriculture, from sowing and harvesting to post-harvest processing and marketing. Despite their significant contribution to the sector, women face numerous challenges, including limited access to land, credit, and technology. They are often excluded from decision-making processes and are paid less than men for the same work.

Moreover, women's work in agriculture is often unpaid and unrecognized, and they lack access to social protection and other benefits. Women are also vulnerable to gender-based violence and discrimination, which can limit their mobility and access to resources.

Also Read: Meet Leena Sharma, Empowering Women Through Natural Farming 

Efforts are being made to address these challenges and promote gender equality in the agri-food system. For example, the government has launched several initiatives to promote women's entrepreneurship, such as DAY-NRLM and the Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP). These initiatives aim to provide women with training, credit, and marketing support to start and grow their businesses in agriculture.

In addition, there are several civil society organizations working to promote women's rights and empowerment in the agri-food system. For example, the Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) has been working with women farmers to help them access credit, markets, and technology, and to increase their participation in decision-making processes.

Also Read: Know Everything about Agriculture Byproducts as Sustainable Makeup Ingredients

Overall, while progress has been made to promote gender equality in the agri-food system in India, much remains to be done to address the systemic barriers that prevent women from fully participating in and benefiting from the sector.

Also Read: Agriculture Expert: Changing Scenario of Agricultural Machinery and Implements