Even as women are considered among the key architects of India’s farm economy, their contribution to the sector has not been effectively mapped, which also reflects in the lack of opportunities for them in the agriculture space.
For these silent architects of India’s rural economy, a major role reversal is required, which should not only recognise their contribution on the field, but also the importance of household work. Better avenues to raise capital, more focussed government policies are other measures that can further enhance their contribution to the farm economy.
During the panel discussion—Women: Silent architects of the rural economy—at the hindu businessline’s Agri & Commodity Summit 2026, the consensus was on recognising the role of women in household work.
Care economy
Sarbani Bose, CoE Lead Gender Equality at Pradhan, emphasised that the significance of the Care Economy is not highlighted as much as it should be. Sustaining a household is a critical aspect of a flourishing economy.
“Women in rural India, in the age group of 18-30 years, work in the house and in the fields. But they do not have much say in influencing decisions. Income is not coming into their account. We do not talk more about the Care Economy. The government has to invest in the Care Economy. For instance, crèches should be there at the panchayat level. Safety of young girls is important. These young girls are not able to attend employment and skilling courses due to safety. Here, working women’s hostels are important. For instance, the all women bus in Tamil Nadu,” she added.
Kalyani Singh, a rural entrepreneur at the Better Life Farming Alliance, stressed that encouraging a stronger role for women in the farm sector has to start with them having more say in rural finance. They should be able to access cheap finance.
“If women farmers are to be encouraged then finance is very important. They do not have access to many avenues for raising finance as they usually do not have land assets in their name. So, there should be a correct assessment of their work, both household work and that in the field. They should be paid as per this work,” she added.
Share & recognition
Chhavi Rajawat, former sarpanch of Soda village (Rajasthan), supported Sarbani’s and Kalyani’s stress on recognising the role of Care Economy in the country’s economy and more importantly the farm sector.
“Women do not get the right value of their work. So, there is a need to push back. How do we bring the change? Will men pass on land or asset ownership to women? Can we have joint ownership of land assets? These are important questions that have to be addressed. Government is shifting its focus, which is commendable. But more needs to be done,” she added.
Recognition and right share in farm wages is the key emphasised Sanjiv Kanwar, Managing Director Yara South Asia and Country Head of Yara India.
“We have around 10 million women farmers in India and almost 50-70 per cent don’t have land titles in their name, which means if you do not have land title then there is no collateral, and they cannot get access to cheap credit. So, credit access hinders growth. Second part is that 65-70 per cent farm workers are women and most of them are not paid. If they are paid then they are not paid as much as male workers,” he pointed out.
Credit for FPOs
Bose pointed out that women-led Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) do not get easy access to credit as they do not have land in their name. The FPOs credit system needs to be strengthened with women entrepreneurs in mind.
Singh agrees, adding that women-led FPOs should be trained in farm mechanisation so that they can pass this on further to women in the area. Besides, these women FPOs should have the financial wherewithal, through cheap and easy loans, to purchase large machines, which they can then lend to women farmers at very affordable rates.
Kanwar made a few very pertinent observations about the lack of women leadership in the farm economy.
“In agriculture university, around 40-50 per cent are female students and they are delivering better grades compared to male students. However, by the time they come to the corporate sector (leadership roles), only 6-8 per cent are females who graduated from agriculture and are in senior corporate roles,” he added.
Another point, emphasised Kanwar is that Civil Society in the farm sector is largely male dominated.
“In India, we have very good ideas, but implementation is lacking. I think India needs to move in the direction of public private partnership. We should not just depend on the government. Government and private sector need to work as a team. Budget is there. Its implementation needs to be better. Of course, there should be strict controls and conditions,” he stressed.
During the panel discussion, Bose said that there is very less data available on various aspects of the farm economy.
“Another important issue is lack of data. Digital data is not available. We need to know how much income has increased for women and men. Data on infrastructure in rural India such as number of crèches in panchayats, or how many panchayats have 100 per cent sanitation,” she added.
Published on February 27, 2026