This article is part of the UPSC Daily Editorial Analysis, covering The Indian Express editorial – " Technologies that give women a say on farms," published on 11^th March by the best UPSC coaching in Kolkata.

Syllabus: UPSC Mains General Studies Paper 3 (Agriculture, Inclusive Growth, Science & Technology)

This article discusses how gender-responsive technology and policies can empower women in India's agri-food systems. Women have crucial role still they women face wage gaps, limited land ownership and restricted access to resources. Innovations like multi-crop threshers, mobile apps and digital tools enhance their productivity and income. M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) initiatives in millet farming and machinery training showcase successful models. True progress depends on equal access, gender-specific interventions and community support for sustainable agricultural development.

Women’s Role in India’s Agri-Food Systems

Women are the backbone of India's agri-food systems, contributing significantly to agriculture, livestock, agroforestry and fisheries. However, institutional barriers limit their access to resources, technology and decision-making. Despite their hard work, they remain marginalised due to gender norms and systemic inequalities.

Challenges Faced by Women in Agriculture

Women working in the agricultural sector in developing economies often encounter structural barriers, including digital literacy gaps, traditional gender roles and limited access to land ownership, financial services and smartphones. These constraints make it difficult for agritech firms to reach women farmers and offer them essential services.

Several factors contribute to this challenge:

• Lack of gender-disaggregated data to develop customized solutions for women farmers.
• High initial customer acquisition costs due to marketing and outreach expenses.
• Limited representation of women in leadership roles, reducing gender-focused decision-making.

Need for Gender-Responsive Agricultural Innovations

Historically research and development have overlooked women farmers. However a gender-responsive approach is being adopted now to design solutions that cater to both men plus women. This includes technical and social innovations that address restrictive gender norms, ensuring better access to agricultural technology.

The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research or CGIAR emphasizes that science-based agricultural innovations benefit women and promote gender equality in food systems.

The Business Case for Gender-Inclusive Agritech

Despite these barriers, there is growing potential for agritech firms to invest in gender-inclusive products.

• More women are entering farming globally.

• The gender gap in smartphone access is narrowing, enabling women to utilize online tools for education, networking, financing and business.
• Agritech companies are increasingly recognizing women as a key market segment, enhancing their credibility in rural markets.

How Can Technology in Agriculture Be Made Gender-Responsive?

Gender-responsive agricultural technology ensures that there are equitable opportunities for both men and women. It involves designing solutions based on women’s needs plus enhancing their access, productivity and income.

Examples of Gender-Inclusive Agricultural Innovations:

Multi-Crop Threshers: Reducing Labour and Enhancing Accessibility

Traditionally, women separate grains manually, a labour-intensive task. Initial mechanical threshers were too large for women to operate. To address this, portable threshers were developed in Kenya and Tanzania. These machines have increased productivity and created income opportunities for women and youth.

Climate-Resilient Fodder for Women Livestock Keepers

In Kenya and Ethiopia, climate change has led to feed shortages. Researchers introduced Brachiaria, a nutrient-rich fodder, through gender-sensitive training programs. Women farmers adopting this technology have reported higher milk yields, better incomes and increased financial independence.

Mobile Applications and Rice Parboiling Technology

In Mali, the RiceAdvice mobile app provides field-specific agricultural guidance. Training for women service providers has helped reach 20,440 women and youth farmers, improving their rice yields. Additionally, energy-efficient rice parboiling technology has increased women’s earnings by USD 200 per ton.

Fishing Nets for Nutrient-Rich Diets

In Bangladesh, cultural norms prevent women from fishing. To overcome this, researchers introduced fine-mesh gill nets for cultivating mola fish, a nutrient-rich species. This innovation has improved household nutrition and women’s financial independence, while engaging communities to change restrictive gender norms.

Digital Extension Services for Agricultural Knowledge

During the COVID-19 pandemic, mobile phones, SIM cards and recharge cards were distributed to women farmers in Tunisia. This provided access to veterinary and agricultural advice, increasing their participation in knowledge-based farming. Radio broadcasts and gender-neutral messaging further enhanced women’s access to information.

Drone-Based Livestock Vaccine Delivery

In Ghana women’s mobility is restricted due to gender norms. Researchers developed an app-based system for ordering livestock vaccines, delivered via drones. This not only helped women access animal healthcare but also trained young female veterinarians, enhancing their role in livestock management.

More Case Studies: How Agritech Helps Women Farmers

Brazil – Nagro Agro Crédito

Fintech firm Nagro Agro Crédito has empowered over 1,500 women farmers by providing customized credit solutions. Their advanced data platform, AgriSK, helps women farmers access financial services and improve their creditworthiness, reducing default rates.

Ghana – Farmerline

Agritech company Farmerline leverages mobile technology to provide smallholder farmers with agricultural information, financial services and supply chain resources. Their team includes over 50% female aggregators, directly impacting over 2,000 women entrepreneurs and farmers.

India – UPL’s Sustainable Farming Solutions

Mumbai-based UPL engages women farmers in sustainable farming by offering crop protection products and digital agricultural support. UPL’s initiatives cover 25,000 acres of sugarcane farmland in Maharashtra, with 2,000 acres managed by women farmers.

India – Yara India’s Training for Women Farmers

Yara India, a crop nutrition company, provides high-quality fertilizers and best-practice training. Their capacity-building programs reveal that women farmers are highly responsive to training, making them valuable customers in an evolving agricultural ecosystem.

India – Bayer’s Krishi Seva Kendras

Bayer India, in partnership with the Maharashtra State Women’s Development Corporation, has launched 27 women-run Krishi Seva Kendras (KSKs) under the Better Life Farming Alliance. This initiative has impacted over 12,000 farmers since 2021 by introducing modern agricultural technologies.

Women’s Participation in Indian Agriculture: Key Statistics

• 55% of female main workers are agricultural labourers, while 24% are cultivators (Census 2011).
• Only 12.8% of operational holdings are owned by women, highlighting gender disparity in land ownership.
• 25.7% of holdings managed by women are marginal or small farms.
• Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for women is 24%, compared to 54.4% for men.
• Rural women have a higher workforce participation rate (30.5%) than urban women (20.2%) (MoSPI, 2022-23).
• 64.3% of female workers are engaged in agriculture (PLFS Report 2022-23).

Feminisation of Agriculture

With increasing rural-to-urban migration of men, agriculture is undergoing feminisation. Women are taking up roles as cultivators, entrepreneurs and labourers. They also contribute to food security and agro-biodiversity conservation. However, limited access to land, credit, technology, water and training remains a major barrier. Gender-specific interventions are needed to boost women’s productivity and decision-making power.

Challenges Faced by Women in Agriculture

Despite their significant contribution women face multiple challenges:

• Wage Disparities: Women earn ₹263 per day in agriculture, while men earn ₹350.
• Gender Inequality in Labour: Women perform low-paying, labour-intensive tasks like weeding and transplanting.
• Limited Access to Mechanisation: Farm equipment is often designed for men, excluding women from technological benefits.
• Marginalisation in Fisheries: Mechanisation has reduced employment for women in fisheries, confining them to processing, drying and vending.

Case Study: Women’s Empowerment Through Technology

M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) Initiatives

• Reviving Millet Cultivation: In Koraput, Odisha, MSSRF worked with indigenous communities to revive millet farming. However, men still control decision-making, limiting women’s access to resources and income.
• Breaking Gender Stereotypes in Agriculture: Agricultural machinery is often seen as male-dominated. MSSRF trained women in tractor and machinery operation and enabled their economic participation.
• Digital Empowerment in Fisheries: In Tamil Nadu, MSSRF introduced digital tools like mobile phones and online payment systems for women fish vendors. This improved their market access and economic resilience.

Way Ahead: Policies and Technologies for Women in Agriculture

Need for Inclusive Policies

• Equal access to land, credit, technology and training is essential.
• Gender-specific interventions must promote farm productivity and decision-making.
• Women’s role in agriculture must be strengthened for food security and rural development.

Gender-Responsive Technologies

• Technology can reduce gender barriers but cannot dismantle patriarchal structures alone.
• Investments in women-centric agricultural innovations should be complemented by family, community, market and state support.

Multi-Stakeholder Action for Women in Agriculture

While agribusinesses can develop gender-inclusive solutions, governments must address systemic challenges such as restricted land ownership, digital literacy gaps and gender biases.

• Corporate efforts alone are not enough; a multi-stakeholder approach involving governments, private sector players and development organizations is essential for real impact.
• Gender-inclusive agritech must become the norm, contributing to food security and climate resilience.

Conclusion: The Future of Gender-Inclusive Agritech

The world is grappling with climate change and food security challenges. Amid this integrating women into modern agricultural practices is key to sustainable growth.Empowering women in agriculture requires systemic changes. Gender-responsive technologies, supportive policies and community engagement are key to ensuring that women have a greater say in agricultural decision-making and benefit equally from innovations in the sector. 

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Discuss the role of gender-responsive agricultural technology in empowering women farmers.

1. How does technology empower women in agriculture?

Technology enhances productivity, reduces labor and provides market access through tools like multi-crop threshers, mobile apps and digital advisory services.

2. What are the key challenges women face in agriculture?

Women struggle with wage gaps, limited land ownership, lack of mechanization and restricted financial access due to systemic barriers.

3. Why is gender-responsive agricultural technology important?

It ensures equitable access to resources, enhances efficiency and helps women overcome traditional gender biases in farming.

4. How can agritech companies support women farmers?

By developing affordable, accessible and women-friendly innovations like portable threshers, climate-resilient fodder and digital finance platforms.

5. What role do mobile apps play in women’s agricultural empowerment?

Apps provide crop advisory, market prices, weather updates and financial services, improving decision-making and productivity.

6. How does mechanization impact women in agriculture?

Gender-inclusive farm machinery reduces drudgery, increases efficiency and creates new income opportunities for women.

7. What policy changes are needed for gender equality in agriculture?

Policies must ensure equal land rights, credit access, skill training and community support to boost women’s participation and leadership in farming.