Parliament Question: Empowerment of Women Farmers

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1546 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28th July, 2026 EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN FARMERS 1546. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण मं(cid:287)ी be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that approximately 42% of the agricultural workforce comprises women, and nearly half of them are unpaid family workers; (b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to leverage technology to formalize women's agricultural labour and ensure a good income; (c) whether the Government is addressing the challenges, like the lack of land ownership for women, which restricts access to formalised credit, subsidies, and insurance schemes, if so, the details thereof; and (d) whether the Ministry plans to formulate an action plan to leverage the International Year of Women Farmers 2026 for the empowerment of women agricultural laborers, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एव ं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य म(cid:287)ं ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR) (a): As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), females constituted 59.8 percent of the total workforce engaged in the agricultural activities during 2025 (January-December) across the country. During the same period 41.1% female workers were engaged in self employed category in agriculture.(b): Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Scheme supports State Government's efforts and introduces latest agricultural technologies and good agricultural practices in different thematic areas of agriculture and allied sectors to farmers including women farmers through different extension activities viz; farmers training, demonstrations, exposure visits, kisan mela, mobilization of famers groups and organizing Farm Schools. As per ATMA Guidelines, minimum 30% of resources meant for programs and activities are required to be allocated to women farmers and women extension functionaries. Under Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) scheme, in order to make farm machinery more accessible and affordable to farmers, financial assistance @ 40-50% of the cost of machinery depending on the category of farmers is provided for purchase of agricultural machines. For women farmers the financial assistance is @ 50% of the cost of machinery. The Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institutes (FMTTIs) impart training to women farmers/ Technicians/ Engineers/ Unemployed youths/ Machinery manufacturers, etc. on latest technology of farm mechanization. The Government is implementing Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) scheme to promote adoption of new technologies of agriculture and allied sectors through technology assessment, demonstration and capacity development among the extension functionaries of state governments and farmers including women farmers. Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture (ICAR-CIWA), Bhubaneswar provides latest technologies to increase status of livelihood of women farmers. It organises various extension activities like field days, exhibitions, exposure visits, demonstration, transfer of technologies through mass media etc. to acquaint the women farmers with latest technologies. (c): Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development has recently addressed all States to introduce a column for Gender in the Record of Rights. In order to extend the benefits of credit, insurance etc. to farmers including women farmers, the Department is implementing various schemes. The PM-KISAN provides ₹6,000 per year to all eligible farmers through direct benefit transfer without gender discrimination, and has significantly benefited women farmers as ensuring transparent and direct financial support to strengthen their income and participation in agriculture. A total of 2,18,66,774 women beneficiaries received benefits under the 23rd instalment of PM-KISAN Scheme.Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna (PMFBY) provides for comprehensive risk insurance against crop damage from pre-sowing to post-harvest for crops and area notified by the concerned State Government. All willing farmers, including sharecroppers, tenant and women farmers are eligible to enrol under the scheme. Under PMFBY, 21% female farmers are enrolled during 2024-25. Under Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Marketing (ISAM), subsidy is provided for storage infrastructure, and marketing infrastructure other than storage, to the eligible beneficiaries including individuals, Group of farmers/growers, Self Help Group (SHG), Cooperative Marketing Federation etc. In order to promote women farmers and entrepreneurs including women Self Help Groups (SHGs), assistance in the form of subsidy is provided to all the women beneficiaries at a higher rate i.e. @33.33% instead of 25%. Under Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) concessional interest rates on short-term agricultural loans are provided to farmers through Kisan Credit Cards (KCC). Farmers (including women farmers) can avail Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans at a subsidized interest rate of 7% for their working capital requirement. Additionally, farmers who repay their loans promptly receive a 3% Prompt Repayment Incentive (PRI), effectively reducing the interest rate to 4% per annum. Number of female account holders who have benefited from Agricultural credit subsidy under the Kisan Credit Card linked Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) for meeting working capital requirements are around 22% of 5.4 crores beneficiaries in financial year 2024-25. (d): To commemorate the International Year of Women Farmers 2026, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) organized Global Conference on Women in Agri-Food Systems (GCWAS-2026) in New Delhi from 12-14 March, 2026. The conference served as a global platform for policymakers, researchers practitioners, and other stakeholders to deliberate on gender mainstreaming in agri-food system. ICAR has developed a comprehensive compendium of case studies and inspiring success stories of women’s empowerment and leadership in agriculture. ICAR has also developed a Gender Strategy for National Agricultural Research Education and Extension System. The strategy aims to foster inclusive innovation ecosystems, ensure equitable access to resources and services, and promote women’s leadership at all levels of agricultural value chain. *****