Women's Empowerment in Agriculture
Agriculture
- PYQs14
- Articles3
Background
UPSC frequently asks about social justice, gender equality, rural development, and the challenges faced by vulnerable sections like women farmers. This concept highlights legislative efforts to correct historical injustices and promote inclusive growth in the agricultural sector, aligning with themes of governance, social welfare, and economic development.
Women's empowerment in agriculture refers to the process of increasing women's access to resources, opportunities, and decision-making power within the agricultural sector. Despite significant participation in farming activities, women often face systemic barriers, including lack of land ownership, limited access to credit, technology, and markets, leading to their exclusion from mainstream agricultural policies and welfare schemes.
Facts & tables
- High Participation, Low Recognition
- Women constitute a significant portion of the agricultural workforce (e.g., 81% in Maharashtra) but often lack independent legal recognition as farmers.
- Land Ownership Barrier
- Lack of land ownership is a primary reason for women's exclusion from government agricultural schemes and institutional support.
- Scope of Activities
- Women farmers are involved not only in crop cultivation but also in allied activities like fisheries, livestock rearing, poultry farming, and collection of forest produce.
- Policy Gap
- Existing agricultural policies and welfare schemes are often male-centric, failing to adequately address the specific needs and challenges of women farmers.
- Significant Workforce Contribution
- Women constitute a substantial portion of the agricultural workforce, often exceeding 80% in certain regions and activities, yet face systemic non-recognition.
- Policy Intervention
- Policy interventions like 'Woman Farmer Certificates' aim to decouple access to benefits from land titles, providing formal identity and entitlements.
- Impact of Empowerment
- Empowering women farmers leads to improved household food security, poverty reduction, and overall agricultural productivity and sustainability.
- Addressing Systemic Non-recognition
- The legislation aims to correct the historic injustice and systemic non-recognition of women farmers, including landless labourers involved in allied activities like fisheries, livestock, poultry, and forest produce collection.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Agricultural Policies & Supply Chains |
| Conceptual area | Welfare Schemes & Social Policies |
| Conceptual area | Labor & Demographic Economics |
| Conceptual area | Social Justice & Development |
| Conceptual area | Social Justice |
| Conceptual area | Rural Development |
| Conceptual area | Gender Equality |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Maharashtra Legislative Assembly | Introduces/passes legislation |
| State Government (Maharashtra) | Proposes and implements policies |
| Agriculture Ministry (State) | Drafts and oversees agricultural policies |
| Maharashtra Government | Initiates and implements policy |
| Gram Sabhas | Issues certificates |
| Urban Local Bodies | Issues certificates |
| Women Farmers’ Empowerment Council | Governance and oversight |
| Maharashtra Assembly | Passes legislation |
| M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) | Advocates and consults on policy |
| Gram Sabhas / Urban Local Bodies | Issues certificates |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Policy measures
- Women's significant role in agriculture often unrecognized.
- Lack of land ownership is a key barrier to scheme access for women farmers.
- Proposed bill aims for legal recognition and improved access to institutional support.
- Covers women in allied activities like fisheries, livestock, and forest produce.
- Focus on digital systems for efficient scheme delivery to women farmers.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2025 | Statement-based questions, Purpose or function of a policy tool |
| 2023 | Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures |
| 2021 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2020 | Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding |
| 2020 | Statement-based questions, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2020 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2019 | Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding |
| 2018 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2017 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2017 | Statement-based questions, Purpose or function of a policy tool |
| 2017 | Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures |
| 2016 | Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures |
| 2016 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
Timeline
-
Agricultural Policies & Supply Chains
Conceptual area
-
Welfare Schemes & Social Policies
Conceptual area
-
Labor & Demographic Economics
Conceptual area
-
Social Justice & Development
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2016
Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2016
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2017
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2017
Statement-based questions, Purpose or function of a policy tool
-
Prelims 2017
Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2018
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2019
Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2020
Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2020
Statement-based questions, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2020
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2021
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2023
Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures
-
Prelims 2025
Statement-based questions, Purpose or function of a policy tool
-
Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Maharashtra to table ‘Women Farmers Empowerment Bill’ during upcoming Monsoon Session
The Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Bill aims to grant legal recognition to women farmers, improving their access to agricultural schemes, credit, and support by addressing barriers like lack of land ownership.
-
Maharashtra govt. tables Women Farmers’ Empowerment Bill in Assembly
The Maharashtra Women Farmers’ Empowerment Bill aims to formally recognize women in agriculture, irrespective of land ownership, by providing them certificates for access to schemes, credit, and market support, thereby addressing historical exclusion and promoting gender equality in the sector.
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Women Farmers’ Empowerment Bill passed unanimously in Maharashtra Assembly
The Women Farmers’ Empowerment Bill in Maharashtra is a landmark legislation aimed at formally recognising women farmers, including landless labourers in allied activities, to ensure their access to government schemes, credit, and subsidies, thereby addressing historical gender-based discrimination in agriculture.
See also
Past papers
2016–2026 · 14 questions
In the news
Maharashtra to table ‘Women Farmers Empowerment Bill’ during upcoming Monsoon Session
The Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Bill aims to grant legal recognition to women farmers, improving their access to agricultural schemes, credit, and support by addressing barriers like lack of land ownership.
Women Farmers’ Empowerment Bill passed unanimously in Maharashtra Assembly
The Women Farmers’ Empowerment Bill in Maharashtra is a landmark legislation aimed at formally recognising women farmers, including landless labourers in allied activities, to ensure their access to government schemes, credit, and subsidies, thereby addressing historical gender-based discrimination in agriculture.
Maharashtra govt. tables Women Farmers’ Empowerment Bill in Assembly
The Maharashtra Women Farmers’ Empowerment Bill aims to formally recognize women in agriculture, irrespective of land ownership, by providing them certificates for access to schemes, credit, and market support, thereby addressing historical exclusion and promoting gender equality in the sector.
Try these PYQs
Consider the following statements :
The nation-wide ‘Soil Health Card Scheme’ aims at
1. expanding the cultivable area under irrigation.
2. enabling the banks to assess the quantum of loans to be granted to farmers on the basis of soil quality.
3. checking the overuse of fertilizers in farmlands.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Out of the listed statements about the Soil Health Card Scheme : Statement 1 is Incorrect: Expanding the cultivable area under irrigation is not a primary objective of the scheme. Statement 2 is Incorrect: Banks don't directly use soil cards to assess loan quantum. Loan approvals depend on various factors like land ownership, crop type, and credit history. Statement 3 is Correct: A key objective of the scheme is to promote the judicious use of fertilisers. By informing farmers about their soil's nutrient status, the scheme encourages them to apply only the required amount of fertilisers, reducing overuse and potential environmental damage. Therefore, the correct answer is 3 only (checking the overuse of fertilisers in farmlands).Hence, option B is the correct answer.
Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojana:
1. It is safe motherhood intervention of the State Health Departments.
2. Its objective is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality among poor pregnant women.
3. It aims to promote institutional delivery among poor pregnant women.
4. Its objective includes providing public health facilities to sick infants up to one year of age.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the National Health Mission (NHM). It is a central intervention implemented by states, not an intervention of the State Health Departments. Statement 2 is correct: The primary objective is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by encouraging safe, institutional births. Statement 3 is correct: The scheme provides a cash incentive to mothers to promote institutional delivery, particularly among those from BPL, SC, and ST households. Statement 4 is incorrect: While care for sick infants is a priority under the National Health Mission, the provision of free facilities for sick infants up to one year of age is specifically a feature of the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) launched in 2011. JSY, launched in 2005, is primarily a conditional cash transfer scheme for delivery.
With reference to ‘Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion’, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. This initiative aims to demonstrate the improved production and post-harvest technologies and to demonstrate value addition techniques, in an integrated manner, with a cluster approach.
2. Poor, small, marginal and tribal farmers have a larger stake in this scheme.
3. An important objective of the scheme is to encourage farmers of commercial crops to shift to millet cultivation by offering them free kits of critical inputs of nutrients and micro-irrigation equipment.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Statement 1 is correct. The Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion aims to demonstrate improved production and post-harvest technologies in an integrated manner with a cluster approach. Statement 2 is also correct. Millets are mainly grown in regions of low annual rainfall and poor arid soil. It is inadequate, small, marginal and tribal farmers, who cannot afford costly irrigation practices, depend on the cultivation of millets. Hence these farmers benefit from the scheme and have a larger stake in this scheme. Statement 3 is not correct. There is no such provision to encourage commercial crop farmers to shift to millet cultivation.
Which of the following statements with regard to the persons with disabilities in India is/are correct ?
1. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, an Act passed by the Parliament of India in 2018, mandates reservation in education and employment, places a legal duty on Governments to ensure accessibility and non-discrimination.
2. The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan focuses on achieving universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities across three key domains — built infrastructure, transport systems and information and communication technology.
3. The National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC) is a public sector organisation set up by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs as a not-for-profit company to promote entrepreneurship among Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
Select the answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act was passed by the Parliament of India in 2016, not 2018. It aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and places a legal obligation on governments to ensure non-discrimination and accessibility. It also mandates reservations for PwDs, such as increasing the quota to 4% in government employment and 5% in higher education. Statement 2 is Correct: The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign) was launched in 2015 by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD). It focuses on achieving universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities across three key domains: built infrastructure (barrier-free public buildings), transport systems (accessible railways, airports, and roads), and information and communication technology (accessible government websites and digital ecosystems). Statement 3 is Incorrect: The National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC) is a Central Public Sector Undertaking registered as a not-for-profit company to provide concessional financial assistance to promote entrepreneurship, self-employment, and higher education among PwDs. However, it was set up under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, not the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Therefore, the correct option is B.
What is/are the advantage/advantages of implementing the ‘National Agriculture Market’ (NAM) scheme?
1. It is a pan-India electronic trading portal for agricultural commodities.
2. It provides the farmers access to the nationwide market, with prices commensurate with the quality of their produce.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
E-NAM (National Agriculture Market) is an online trading platform for agriculture produce aiming to help farmers, traders, and buyers with online trading and getting a better price through smooth marketing. Statement 1 is Correct: Pan-India electronic trading portal (Correct) This is a core feature of NAM. It creates a unified online platform where farmers can connect with buyers from across the country, eliminating geographical restrictions and potentially increasing market access. Statement 2 is Correct: Access to nationwide markets and better prices (Correct) NAM allows farmers to see prices prevailing in various mandis (wholesale markets) across the country. This transparency empowers them to choose the market offering the best price for their produce, potentially fetching them higher returns compared to traditional, localised markets. Therefore, the correct answer is 1 and 2 both are correct.Hence, option C is the correct answer.
Show 9 more PYQs
With reference to land reforms in independent India, which one of the following statements is correct?
Land reform is a broad term: - It refers to an institutional measure directed towards altering the existing pattern of ownership, tenancy, and management of land. - It entails redistribution of the rights of ownership and/or use of land away from large landowners and in favour of cultivators with very limited or no landholdings. - At the time of independence, ownership of land was concentrated in the hands of a few. This led to the exploitation of the farmers and was a major hindrance towards the socio-economic development of the rural population. - Equal distribution of land was therefore an area of focus of Independent India's government. Laws for land ceilings were enacted in various states during the 50s & 60s, which were modified on the directives of the central government in 1972.
In the context of India’s preparation for Climate-smart Agriculture, consider the following statements:
1. The ‘Climate-Smart Village’ approach in India is a part of a project led by the Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), an international research programme.
2. The project of CCAFS is carried out under Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) headquartered in France.
3. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in India is one of the CGIAR’s research centres.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Statement 1 is correct. The Climate-Smart Village (CSV) approach is an initiative under the CCAFS program, which focuses on improving climate resilience in agriculture through research and innovation. CCAFS operates in multiple countries, including India, and works on sustainable farming practices, resource efficiency, and climate adaptation strategies in rural areas. Statement 2 is correct. CCAFS is a global research initiative under the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), which is a network of international agricultural research organizations. However, CGIAR’s global headquarters is in Montpellier, France, making the statement factually accurate. Statement 3 is correct. ICRISAT, based in Hyderabad, India, is a major research institute focusing on improving dryland agriculture. It is indeed one of the CGIAR’s 15 global research centers, working on climate resilience, crop improvement, and food security in semi-arid regions.
In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture?
1. Fixing Minimum Support Price for agricultural produce of all crops
2. Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies
3. Social Capital development
4. Free electricity supply to farmers
5. Waiver of agricultural loans by the banking system
6. Setting up of cold storage facilities by the governments
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Public investment in agriculture refers to government expenditures aimed at improving the agricultural sector, including infrastructure development, technological improvements, and providing institutional support. Statement 1 is incorrect: Fixing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a policy decision, not an investment. While it affects the agricultural sector, it is not a direct public investment in terms of capital expenditure. Statement 2 is correct: The computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) is a public investment because it involves government funds directed towards modernizing agricultural credit systems, enhancing efficiency, and accessibility for farmers. Statement 3 is correct: Social Capital development is a public investment in agriculture, as it involves building networks and community-based resources that help farmers improve productivity and access to resources. Statement 4 is incorrect: Free electricity supply is more of a subsidy, not a direct public investment in the form of capital expenditure. Statement 5 is incorrect: Waiver of agricultural loans is a policy measure aimed at alleviating farmer debt but does not qualify as an investment in infrastructure or capital. Statement 6 is correct: The setting up of cold storage facilities by the government is a direct public investment aimed at improving agricultural infrastructure and reducing post-harvest losses. Hence, option C is the correct answer.
With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013 consider the following statements:
1. The families coming under the category of 'below poverty line (BPL)' only are eligible to receive subsidised grains.
2. The eldest woman in a household, of age 18 years or above, shall be the head of the household for the purpose of issuance of a ration card.
3. Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a take-home ration' of 1600 calories per day during pregnancy and for six months thereafter.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: In 2013, NFSA was enacted to provide food security to 67% of the population in the form of highly subsidized food grains at Rs. 2 and 3 per Kg for wheat and rice respectively. Beneficiaries are identified using Socio-economic Caste Census (SECC) methodology so even non-BPL will also benefit. Statement 2 is correct: Under the NFSA, to issue ration cards the eldest woman of a household aged 18 years or above would be considered as head. Hence, this statement is correct. Statement 3 is incorrect: Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a nutritious take home ration of 600 Calories and a maternity benefit of at least Rs 6,000 for six months, says the official act.
Consider the following statements:
1. In terms of short-term credit delivery to the agriculture sector, District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) deliver more credit in comparison of Scheduled Commercial Banks are Regional Rural Banks
2. One of the most important functions of DCCBs is to provide funds to the Primary Agricultural Credit Societies.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect. In terms of short-term credit delivery to the agriculture sector, Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) generally deliver more credit compared to District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs). SCBs and RRBs have a larger network and resources to provide credit to the agriculture sector. Statement 2 is correct. One of the primary functions of DCCBs is indeed to provide funds to the Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS). DCCBs act as the intermediary between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and PACS, facilitating the flow of credit from the central bank to the grassroots level through cooperative credit institutions. Hence, option B is the correct answer.
Which of the following gives the ‘Global Gender Gap Index’ ranking to the countries of the world?
The Global Gender Gap Index is an annual report published by the World Economic Forum (WEF). It benchmarks progress towards gender parity by measuring the gap between women and men across four dimensions:
- Economic Participation and Opportunity
- Educational Attainment
- Health and Survival
- Political Empowerment
Under the Kisan Credit Card scheme, short-term credit support is given to farmers for which of the following purposes?
1. Working capital for maintenance of farm assets
2. Purchase of combine harvesters, tractors and mini trucks.
3. Consumption requirements of farm households
4. Post-harvest expense
5. Construction of family house and setting up of village cold storage facility.
Select the correct answer
Under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme, short-term credit support is provided to farmers for purposes that directly support agricultural activities and the farm household. Statement 1 is correct. The KCC scheme provides working capital for the maintenance of farm assets, which includes things like irrigation, fertilizers, and labor costs. Statement 2 is incorrect. The KCC scheme does not cover the purchase of capital-intensive assets such as combine harvesters, tractors, and mini trucks. These are typically financed through long-term loans, not short-term credit. Statement 3 is correct. The KCC scheme provides credit for consumption requirements of the farm household, like daily needs and family expenditures. Statement 4 is correct. The KCC scheme can also be used for post-harvest expenses, including costs for storage, transportation, and marketing of produce. Statement 5 is incorrect. The construction of a family house and setting up of village cold storage facilities are not covered under the KCC scheme, as these are typically considered long-term capital expenditures. The list of eligible activities for KCC are:
- To meet the short-term credit requirements for cultivation of crops
- Post-harvest expenses, - Produce marketing loan - Consumption requirements of farmer household. - Working capital for maintenance of farm assets band activities allied to agriculture like dairy animals, inland fishery etc. - Investment credit requirement for agriculture and allied activities like pumpsets, sprayers, dairy animals etc. Hence, option B is the correct answer.
Consider the following statements about the Rashtriya Gokul Mission:
I. It is important for the upliftment of rural poor as majority of low producing indigenous animals are with small and marginal farmers and landless labourers.
II. It was initiated to promote indigenous cattle and buffalo rearing and conservation in a scientific and holistic manner.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
✅ Statement I: Correct
*RGM aims to conserve indigenous breeds, benefiting small farmers and landless labourers by improving animal productivity.* ✅ Statement II: Correct
*Launched in December 2014, the mission promotes scientific breeding, genetic upgradation, and conservation of indigenous breeds.* Correct Answer: (C) Both Statements I and II are correct.
With reference to ‘Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana’, consider the following statements:
1. Under this scheme, farmers will have to pay a uniform premium of two per cent for any crop they cultivate in any season of the year.
2. This scheme covers post-harvest losses arising out of cyclones and unseasonal rains.
Which of the statements given about is/are correct?
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is a government-sponsored crop insurance scheme. Statement 1 is Incorrect: Under this scheme, farmers have to pay a uniform premium of 2% for all Kharif crops, 1.5% for all Rabi crops, and 5% for commercial/horticultural crops. The premium rate is not uniform for all crops in all seasons. Statement 2 is Correct: The scheme does cover post-harvest losses arising out of cyclones and unseasonal rains. Hence, option B is the correct answer.