Feminisation of Agriculture in India

In recent years, the feminisation of agriculture in India has gained attention. Women now make up approximately 63% of the agricultural labour force. Despite this contribution, they face substantial barriers. These include limited access to land ownership, financial resources, and advanced farming technologies. The increasing participation of women is often attributed to male outmigration for better opportunities. This phenomenon raises questions about empowerment versus reinforcing existing gender disparities.

About Feminisation of Agriculture

• Feminisation of agriculture refers to two main aspects.
• First, it indicates the increasing proportion of agricultural work performed by women. This includes roles as smallholder cultivators and casual wage workers.
• Second, it encompasses women’s control and participation in agricultural resources and decision-making. This includes ownership of farmland and influence over crop selection.

Trends in Female Labour Force Participation Rate

• The female labour force participation rate (FLPR) in India peaked at 40.8% in 2004-05 but has seen fluctuations since then.
• Following a decline, the FLPR began to rise again from 2017, particularly after the Covid-19 pandemic.
• The rural FLPR increased from 41.5% in 2022-23 to 47.6% in 2023-24.
• Similarly, the urban FLPR grew from 25.4% to 28%.
• This rise is linked to economic recovery and the need for additional income sources due to distress.

Gender Disparity in Land Ownership

• Despite women’s role in agriculture, they face stark disparities in land ownership.
• The Agriculture Census of 2015-16 revealed that while 73% of rural women work in agriculture, only 11.72% of operated land is managed by women.
• Most female landholders possess small and marginal holdings. Barriers to land ownership include financial constraints and social biases that hinder inheritance.

Economic Security and Decision-Making Power

• Women’s economic security is closely tied to land rights.
• However, they often lack decision-making power regarding agricultural practices and resource usage.
• The agrarian economy faces challenges, including declining agricultural incomes.
• As a result, women engaged in agriculture may not experience true empowerment without viable non-farm employment opportunities.

Challenges and Solutions for Gender Equity

• The perception of farmers as predominantly male contributes to women’s invisibility in agriculture.
• Addressing gender equity requires a multifaceted approach.
• This includes policies that place women at the centre of agricultural strategies.
• Equal access to land, mechanisation, and gender-responsive climate policies are essential for empowering women in agriculture.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Critically discuss the role of women in agriculture and its impact on rural economies in India.
2. Examine the factors contributing to the feminisation of agriculture in India and its implications for gender equity.
3. Analyse the relationship between female labour force participation and economic recovery in post-pandemic India.
4. Point out the barriers faced by women in land ownership. How do these barriers affect their economic empowerment?

Answer Hints:

1. Critically discuss the role of women in agriculture and its impact on rural economies in India.

1. Women constitute approximately 63% of the agricultural labour force, contributing to food production.
2. Despite their involvement, women often lack access to resources like land, credit, and technology, limiting their productivity.
3. The economic distress and male outmigration have led women to take on more agricultural responsibilities.
4. Women’s contributions are often undervalued and overlooked, impacting their recognition in rural economies.
5. Empowering women in agriculture can lead to improved household incomes and community welfare, enhancing rural economies.

2. Examine the factors contributing to the feminisation of agriculture in India and its implications for gender equity.

1. The shift of men to non-farm employment due to better opportunities has left women to manage farms.
2. Rural distress and economic pressures have increased women’s participation in agricultural work.
3. Feminisation of agriculture reflects both increased female labour and the need for women’s decision-making power and land ownership.
4. Gender disparities in land ownership persist, limiting women’s economic security and agency in agriculture.
5. Addressing these disparities is crucial for achieving gender equity and empowering women within the agricultural sector.

3. Analyse the relationship between female labour force participation and economic recovery in post-pandemic India.

1. Post-Covid, female labour force participation (FLPR) rose , especially in rural areas, indicating economic recovery.
2. The rural FLPR increased from 41.5% in 2022-23 to 47.6% in 2023-24, reflecting a need for additional income sources.
3. Increased participation has been linked to the economic distress faced by families during the pandemic.
4. Women are increasingly engaging in self-employment and agriculture as a survival strategy in the post-pandemic context.
5. This trend indicates a shift in economic roles but raises concerns about the sustainability of such participation.

4. Point out the barriers faced by women in land ownership. How do these barriers affect their economic empowerment?

1. Women face financial constraints that limit their ability to purchase land, making inheritance a primary means of ownership.
2. Social biases and norms often hinder women’s rights to inherit and control land, reinforcing gender disparities.
3. Only 11.72% of operated agricultural land is managed by women, despite their workforce participation.
4. Lack of land ownership restricts access to credit and financial resources, limiting women’s economic opportunities.
5. These barriers contribute to economic insecurity and diminished decision-making power, affecting overall empowerment in agriculture.