Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is actively collecting gender-disaggregated data on agricultural schemes and implementing various initiatives to enhance women's participation in agriculture. Schemes like ATMA, ACABC, and others provide training, subsidies, and support to women farmers. The overall goal is to promote gender-inclusive agricultural development through capacity building, financial access, and institutional support.
Key Points / Main Content:
Data Collection and Scheme Access:
* The Government collects gender-disaggregated data on access to agricultural schemes, including subsidies, training, and extension services.
* State/UT-wise data on women beneficiaries under the ATMA scheme from 2022-2025 is available.
Training and Capacity Building:
* ATMA scheme earmarks a minimum of 30% of resources for women farmers and extension functionaries.
* ACABC scheme provides training and financial support, with women eligible for a 44% subsidy on loans.
* STRY conducts short-duration vocational training in agriculture and allied sectors; 20,831 women trained from 2022-2025.
* DAESI trains women input dealers; 2,853 women trained from 2022-2025.
* EEIs train field-level extension personnel; 7,279 women extension officers trained from 2022-2025.
* KVKs impart training to women farmers on agriculture and allied sectors.
* FMTTIs have trained 25,447 women farmers from 2022-2025.
Financial Assistance and Subsidies:
* AMI scheme provides a 33.33% subsidy for women, SC/ST promoters, FPOs, NER, and hilly areas, and 25% for plain areas.
* MISS provides KCC loans at subsidized interest rates, with enhanced collateral-free credit limit up to 2 lakh.
* SMAM scheme provides 50% cost subsidy to women farmers for farm machinery.
Dedicated Schemes and Components:
* Namo Drone Didi scheme provides drones to women SHGs with an outlay of Rs. 1261 Crores.
* DAY-NRLM has trained 2.58 crore women farmers in agro-ecological and livestock management practices.
* ICAR-CIWA and AICRP on WiA conduct research and capacity-building programs.
Land Ownership and Market Linkages:
* DILRMP captures land ownership data, including gender-disaggregated data where available.
* Promotion of 1976 FPOs with more than 50 women members, 1404 FPOs with more than 75 women members and 1265 FPOs with 100 women members have been formed.
Impact Analysis:
Women Farmers:
* Impact: Increased access to training, subsidies, credit, and technology, leading to enhanced participation and decision-making in agriculture.
* Action Required: Engage with available schemes and training programs, utilize financial assistance, and participate in FPOs and SHGs.
State Agriculture Departments/Extension Agencies:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing and monitoring schemes, collecting gender-disaggregated data, and ensuring resource allocation for women farmers.
* Action Required: Implement schemes effectively, allocate resources as per guidelines, and promote awareness among women farmers.
Financial Institutions (Banks, NABARD):
* Impact: Provide subsidized credit and financial assistance to women farmers and agri-ventures.
* Action Required: Create awareness about available credit schemes, simplify loan application processes, and ensure timely disbursement of funds.
ICAR-CIWA, KVKs, FMTTIs:
* Impact: Conduct research, provide training, and develop gender-responsive extension models.
* Action Required: Continue research on women-related issues, conduct capacity-building programs, and promote gender-friendly technologies.
Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs):
* Impact: Platforms for women to collectively access resources, training, and market linkages.
* Action Required: Participate actively in SHGs/FPOs, leverage collective strength, and utilize available support for income-generating activities.
Key Entities Referenced
Agriculture Technology Management Agency ATMA Scheme: A scheme implemented in 740 districts across 28 States and 5 UTs, providing training to women farmers in agriculture and allied sectors. A minimum of 30% of resources are earmarked for women farmers and women extension functionaries.
National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management MANAGE: An institute that implements the Central Sector AgriClinics and AgriBusiness Centres ACABC Scheme, providing residential training and financial support for setting up agriventures.
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development NABARD: An organization that implements the Central Sector AgriClinics and AgriBusiness Centres ACABC Scheme, providing residential training and financial support for setting up agriventures.
Skill Training for Rural Youth STRY: A program that conducts short-duration vocational trainings in agriculture and allied sectors.
Diploma in Agricultural Extension Services for Input Dealers DAESI: A one-year diploma programme implemented through States Agricultural Management Extension Training Institute SAMETIs, Krishi Vigyan Kendras KVKs, and State Agriculture Universities SAUs, aiming to equip input dealers with agricultural knowledge and extension skills.
ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture ICAR-CIWA, Bhubaneswar: An institute that maintains a Gender Knowledge System portal and conducts capacity building programs for farm women.
Namo Drone Didi scheme: A Central Sector Scheme for providing drones to women Self Help Groups SHGs for providing rental services to farmers for agriculture purpose application of fertilizers and pesticides.
Krishi Vigyan Kendras KVKs: Scheme implemented in different States of the country with mandate of single-window agricultural knowledge, resource and capacity development centres.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1489
TO BE ANSWERED ON 29TH JULY, 2025
INCLUSION OF WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE
1489. SHRI AMRINDER SINGH RAJA WARRING:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण म(cid:287)ं ी
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government collects and maintains gender-disaggregated data on
access to key agricultural schemes such as subsidies, credit, training, extension services
etc;
(b) if so, the details of such data for the past three years, particularly for women farmers
across different States/UTs;
(c) whether the Government has conducted any assessment of barriers faced by
women in accessing agriculture entitlements and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether there are dedicated components or schemes aimed at enhancing the
participation of women as cultivators and decision-makers in agriculture, and if so, the
details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken to improve women’s access to land ownership, institutional credit,
and market linkages?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
कृ(cid:874)ष एवं (cid:873)कसान क(cid:227)याण रा(cid:207)य म(cid:287)ं ी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)
(a) & (b): The Government collects and maintains certain gender disaggregated data on
access to key agricultural schemes for providing subsidies, training, extension services as
per the eligibility and conditions existing in the scheme guidelines.
Under the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Scheme, gender-
disaggregated data is collected with a focus on women farmers’ participation and access to
resources and benefits. State/UT-wise data of women beneficiaries for the last three years
(2022-2025) is placed at Annexure-I. The ATMA Scheme, currently implemented in 740
districts across 28 States and 5 UTs, provides training to women farmers in agriculture and
allied sectors. As per ATMA Guidelines, a minimum of 30% of resources are earmarked for
women farmers and women extension functionaries.
The Central Sector Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centres (AC&ABC) Scheme,
implemented by National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) and
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), provides 45-days
residential training and financial support to qualified rural youth, including women, forsetting up agri-ventures. Women candidates are eligible for 44% subsidy (for loans up to
₹20 lakh individually or ₹1 crore for group projects), along with the option to co-obligate with
parents or spouse for credit. During the last three years (2022–23 to 2024–25), 1,769
women were trained, 759 agri-ventures were established by women and subsidies were
provided to 114 women.
Under Skill Training for Rural Youth (STRY), short-duration (7-day) vocational
trainings are conducted in agriculture and allied sectors. From 2022–23 to 2024–25, a total
of 20,831 women have been trained across States in areas such as mushroom cultivation,
goat rearing, organic farming, dairy, post-harvest technologies, and biofertilizers.
The Diploma in Agricultural Extension Services for Input Dealers (DAESI) is one-
year diploma programme, implemented through States Agricultural Management &
Extension Training Institute (SAMETIs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and State
Agriculture Universities (SAUs), aims to equip input dealers with agricultural knowledge and
extension skills. From 2022–23 to 2024–25, 2,853 women input dealers have been trained
under the programme
The Ministry operates four Extension Education Institutes (EEIs) at Hyderabad,
Nilokheri, Anand, and Guwahati for training of field-level extension personnel. From 2022–
23 to 2024–25, a total of 7,279 women extension officers have been trained through EEIs in
various thematic areas of extension education, communication, and technology. These
efforts are part of the Government’s broader strategy to promote gender-inclusive
agricultural development through capacity building, financial access, and institutional
support.
The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is implementing the sub-scheme
'Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI)' under the Integrated Scheme for Agricultural
Marketing (ISAM) for creation of agricultural marketing infrastructure, including scientific
storage. It is a capital investment, demand-driven, credit-linked, back-ended subsidy
scheme. Assistance is provided to eligible beneficiaries including women, with a subsidy of
33.33% for women, SC/ST promoters, FPOs, NER and hilly areas and subsidy of 25% for
plain areas. The details of Projects implemented in the past three years, particularly for
women entrepreneurs including women farmers across States/UTs is at Annexure-II.
The ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture (ICAR-CIWA), Bhubaneswar
maintains a Gender Knowledge System portal based on Census 2001 and 2011 data.
During 2021–24, ICAR-CIWA and AICRP on Women in Agriculture Centres conducted
1,108 capacity building programmes across 13 States, benefiting 43,385 farm women.
The Government is implementing the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) scheme in
different States of the country with mandate of single-window agricultural knowledge,
resource and capacity development centres. KVKs impart training to farmers including
women farmers and regularly conduct trainings for women farmers on agriculture and
allied sectors, including specialized topics such as nutrition, value addition, drudgery
reduction, rural crafts, and women empowerment.
The Land Regulations Division under the Department of Land Resources captures
land ownership data through the Management Information System (MIS) of the Digital
India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP). Gender-disaggregated land
ownership data (RoR) captured in certain States/UTs, subject to the availability of such
data in the respective MIS.
The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) has established 4
numbers of Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institutes (FMTTIs) at Budni (MP), Hisar(Haryana), Anantapur (AP) and Biswanath Chariali (Assam) for imparting the training and
awareness about various schemes, agricultural machinery and equipments, latest farming
technology to the women farmers on Agricultural Machinery Management & Operation of
Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs). A target of 10% women farmers at all the 4 FMTTIs has
given out of the total target assigned. A total of 25,447 women farmers have been trained
for the last three years 2022-23 to 2024-25 at 4 FMTTIs.
National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPHM), DA&FW has trained a total
of 1125 women farmers from 2023-24 to 2025 (till date) including women farmers under
Namo Drone Didi scheme.
(c): ICAR-CIWA has conducted study on major challenges identified through
participatory research and extension. These are poor awareness in accessing agricultural
entitlements, limited mobility, socio-cultural constraints, inadequate access to productive
resources and markets etc.
(d): The Central Sector Scheme ‘Namo Drone Didi’ for providing drones to the women
Self Help Groups (SHGs) with an outlay of Rs.1261 Crores has been approved. The
scheme aims to provide drones to 15000 selected Women SHGs for providing rental
services to farmers for agriculture purpose (application of fertilizers and pesticides).
The ATMA scheme emphasis on active involvement of women in decision process at
various levels including the Governing Body and Management Committee at district level as
well as Farmer Advisory Committee (FAC) at Block, District and State level.
ICAR-CIWA and All India Coordinated Research Project on Women in Agriculture (AICRP
on WiA) are dedicated schemes to conduct research on issues related to women in
agriculture and allied sectors. The Institute has developed two gender responsive extension
models viz., Sustainable She-Preneurship in Mushroom Cultivation Model (2S2M) and
Gender Responsive Integrated Homestead Aqua-Horticulture (GRIHA) Model for enhancing
participation of women in agricultural and allied activities.
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) is a
flagship poverty alleviation programme implemented exclusively through women. During
FY 2022–23 to 2024–25, 2.58 crore women farmers were trained in agro-ecological and
livestock management practices, and 2.50 lakh Krishi/Pashu Sakhis were trained as
community resource persons. Additionally, 503 Krishi Sakhis were trained as Drone
Sakhis, 70,021 Self Help Group (SHG) women were trained in Natural Farming, and 800
women-owned producer companies were promoted under the Farmers Producer
Organisation (FPO) Scheme. The Department of Animal Husbandry has trained and
recognized 7,294 Pashu Sakhis as A-HELP (Livestock Resource Persons).
(e): Under the 10,000 FPOs scheme as on 24.07.2025, 1976 FPOs with more than
50% women members, 1404 FPOs with more than 75% women members and 1265 FPOs
with 100% women members have been formed. Under the scheme there are 36.90 lakh
beneficiary farmers, out of which 14.50 lakh are women beneficiary.
Under Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS), 100% centrally funded, Kisan
Credit Card (KCC) loans are provided at a subsidized interest rate of 7% per annum, with
1.5% Interest Subvention (IS) to financial institutions and an additional 3% Prompt
Repayment Incentive (PRI) for timely repayment, reducing the effective rate to 4% for
loans up to ₹3 lakh. For allied activities, the limit is ₹2 lakh. To enhance access, includingfor women farmers, awareness is being created through IEC campaigns by banks,
State/Central Governments, RBI, NABARD, etc., and through digital platforms like the
Kisan Rin Portal. The collateral-free credit limit has also been enhanced from ₹1.6 lakh to
₹2 lakh w.e.f. 1st January 2025.
A list of about 30 identified gender-friendly tools and equipment developed by the
Research and Development Organization for use in different farm operations has already
been sent to all the States and UTs for popularising them. The financial assistance as cost
subsidy to the machinery is being provided to the women farmers under Sub Mission on
Agriculture Mechanization (SMAM) scheme is 50% which is 10% more than the general
category farmers. For the individual ownership of the farm machinery State Governments
have been directed to earmark 30 per cent of total funds allocated under SMAM for
women beneficiaries.
ICAR-CIWA creates awareness and conducts capacity building programmes
among farm women for better access to technologies & information, and promotes Self
Help Group-led income generating activities to strengthen economic independence.Annexure-I
Details of Women Farmers Benefitted under ATMA Scheme from 2022-23 to 2024-25
(In Nos.)
Sl. No. States/UTs Years
2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
1. Andhra Pradesh 6131 6499 461
2. Bihar 59132 137451 41991
3. Chhattisgarh 23402 3548 9560
4. Goa 2789 4354 506
5. Gujarat 98728 41122 29083
6. Haryana 8927 5796 405
7. Himachal Pradesh 6596 18881 20168
8. Jammu & Kashmir 7265 3568 19520
9. Jharkhand 11023 10214 11293
10. Karnataka 75383 49865 56064
11. Kerala 47135 50796 18868
12. Maharashtra 113669 130912 119541
13. Madhya Pradesh 28897 64073 6272
14. Odisha 22046 11597 37460
15. Punjab 6205 4973 2352
16. Rajasthan 45698 2945 12933
17. Telangana 1344 93 1820
18. Tamil Nadu 144596 148717 235255
19. Uttar Pradesh 95566 152654 144896
20. Uttarakhand 12260 12716 15897
21. West Bengal 97587 42058 92361
22. Assam 16010 13635 20457
23. Arunachal Pradesh 20092 6000 24257
24. Manipur 5483 1170 8235
25. Meghalaya 6070 13055 12040
26. Mizoram 2060 922 1644
27. Nagaland 26043 18987 26932
28. Tripura 2718 4383 14370
29. Sikkim 2289 2778 2779
30. Delhi 0 0 157
31. Puducherry 2080 3009 1575
32. A&N 3108 4542 3446
33. Ladakh 154 432 309
Total 1000486 971745 992907Annexure-II
AMI (Agriculture Marketing Infrastructure)-Women Beneficiaries from 2022-23 to 2024-25.
Sl. No. State Number of Projects Capacity (in MT)
1. Andhra Pradesh 11 20581.69
2. Assam 5 17444.26
3. Bihar 43 131714.15
4. Chhattisgarh 7 16735.57
5. Goa 3 0.00
6. Gujarat 63 94760.98
7. Haryana 49 165388.39
8. Karnataka 28 11638.18
9. Kerala 2 653.72
10. Madhya Pradesh 222 883049.22
11. Maharashtra 141 370414.95
12. Odisha 4 8874.83
13. Punjab 15 48130.81
14. Rajasthan 20 74977.29
15. Tamil Nadu 2 6388.14
16. Telangana 67 173992.57
17. Uttar Pradesh 15 57985.56
18. Uttarakhand 20 81241.31
19. West Bengal 2 1157.66
Total 719 2165129.28
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