Women Farmers Make Up 59.8% of India’s Agricultural Workforce: What More Support Do They Need?

Women account for 59.8% of India’s workforce engaged in agricultural activities, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey for January to December 2025. The figure highlights women’s role in farming as the country observes Mahila Kisan Diwas on 15 October 2026.

The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is organising the national celebration in New Delhi under the theme “Role of Women Farmers in Building Developed Agriculture and a Developed India.” The programme aims to recognise women’s contributions and encourage their leadership in farming, livestock management, natural resource conservation and agricultural enterprises.

1. Women contribute across the farming cycle

Women’s work in agriculture extends from sowing and transplanting to harvesting, livestock care, seed conservation and post-harvest processing. Many also manage kitchen gardens, preserve traditional seed varieties and contribute to decisions about household food production. Their work supports both farm operations and rural livelihoods.

The government’s Mahila Kisan Diwas announcement recognises these contributions, including women’s role in biodiversity conservation and sustainable farming practices. Yet the share of women in the agricultural workforce does not, by itself, show how many control farmland, receive farm income or make decisions about agricultural investments.

2. Work does not always mean control over land

A key issue for women farmers is the difference between doing agricultural work and having recognised rights over land. Land ownership or documented tenancy can affect access to institutional credit, crop insurance, compensation and some agricultural support programmes. Women who work on family farms may not always appear as the principal farmer in official records.

The implications vary by state and scheme, so women should check the documentation required for each service. Farmer organisations and local agriculture offices can explain eligibility rules. Improving recognition of women as cultivators is important because access to land records and institutional services can influence their ability to invest in farming.

3. Access to technology and training matters

Women farmers need access to suitable machinery, irrigation, quality seeds, technical advice and training. Tools designed around the physical demands of agricultural work can help reduce repetitive strain and save time. Training programmes also need to reach women at times and locations they can attend.

The agriculture department says women agricultural officers and extension workers play an important role in connecting research with farmers. Through training and awareness about government programmes, these workers can help women access technical knowledge. States, agricultural universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras can strengthen this support through demonstrations and locally relevant training.

4. Self-help groups can create business opportunities

Women’s self-help groups can provide a route into activities such as food processing, seed production, mushroom cultivation, beekeeping and other agriculture-related enterprises. Working collectively can help members pool savings, share equipment and coordinate production. Success still depends on training, working capital, reliable supplies and access to buyers.

Women considering an enterprise should calculate costs and identify customers before investing. Local rural livelihood missions, banks, KVKs and agriculture departments may offer training or support, depending on the programme and eligibility conditions. Groups should ask for written details of any loan or subsidy rather than assume support is automatic.

5. Recognise women’s role in climate-resilient farming

Women often contribute to decisions about seed selection, livestock care, water use and crop processing. Their knowledge of local growing conditions can be useful when farms face irregular rainfall, changing temperatures or new pest pressures. Including women in agricultural planning can help ensure that advice reflects the practical demands of farm work.

The government’s 2026 Mahila Kisan Diwas theme specifically highlights crop diversification, modern technology, livestock management and natural resource conservation. These priorities can support farm resilience when backed by practical services, affordable inputs and training. Women need access to the same technical and financial resources as other farmers to put these practices into action.

6. International Year of the Woman Farmer puts the issue in focus

The United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer. The initiative provides a global opportunity to recognise women’s contributions to food systems and examine barriers that limit their access to resources, technology and institutional support.

Mahila Kisan Diwas coincides with the International Day of Rural Women, observed on 15 October. India’s national celebration brings together women farmers, agricultural officers and extension workers from states and Union Territories. The longer-term test will be whether recognition translates into better access to land rights, training, finance, markets and decision-making opportunities.

7. What farmers and local institutions can do

Women farmers can contact their local KVK, agriculture office, bank or self-help group federation to ask about training, eligible schemes, machinery services and business support. Keeping records of farm work, production, sales and expenses can also help when applying for credit or assessing whether an enterprise is profitable.

Agricultural institutions can make services more accessible by scheduling training around farm workloads, providing clear information about documentation and including women in demonstrations and planning meetings. Recognition should go beyond an annual event. It needs to be reflected in everyday access to agricultural services and in the way farm work and decision-making are recorded.

Mahila Kisan Diwas 2026 brings attention to a workforce in which women account for 59.8% of agricultural workers. Their contributions span crop production, livestock, seed conservation and rural enterprises, yet workforce figures alone cannot establish whether they have equal access to land, income or agricultural services.

The next step is to turn recognition into practical support. Better access to land documentation, suitable machinery, training, credit and markets can help women strengthen their livelihoods and take a greater role in decisions about farming.