Cooperatives Build a Better World

Cooperatives Build a Better World

Farmer's Welfare

Empowering Women Farmers in Agriculture

Introduction

Agriculture has long been the backbone of India's economy, supporting food security, livelihoods, and rural development. For women in rural areas, agriculture and allied sectors are the primary source of livelihood, with eighty percent of rural women being engaged in these sectors. Of these, thirty-three percent are agricultural labourers and forty-eight percent are self-employed farmers. The United Nations has designated twenty twenty-six as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, in recognition of the vital and indispensable role of women in global agriculture. Women farmers constitute a critical component of the agricultural sector, which is increasingly characterized by substantial female participation.

Their involvement extends across the entire agricultural value chain, encompassing crop production, livestock management, agroforestry, fishing, horticulture, pre-harvest operations, post-harvest processing, packaging, and marketing. Consequently, women's engagement is central to driving agricultural growth, enhancing food security, and strengthening rural livelihoods. International Year of the Woman Farmer twenty twenty-six seeks to highlight women's contributions to agriculture while promoting equitable access to land, resources, technology, finance, and markets. The Year seeks to mobilize governments, development partners, civil society, and the private sector to promote inclusive policies and targeted actions that enhance the visibility, recognition, and economic empowerment of women farmers worldwide.