India's Silent Farm Architects: Unpaid Work, Untapped Potential

Women are the backbone of India's agricultural sector, yet their contributions, encompassing both field work and essential household management, are frequently undervalued and unmapped. This oversight hinders their access to opportunities and financial resources within the farming landscape.

A consensus emerged at the Agri & Commodity Summit 2026, emphasizing the critical need to acknowledge the 'Care Economy,' which sustains rural households and economies. Experts highlighted that women, particularly those aged 18-30, often lack decision-making power and direct access to income, underscoring the necessity for government investment in services like crèches and hostels to ensure safety and enable participation in skilling programs.

Financial inclusion for women farmers is paramount. Many lack land titles, preventing them from securing collateral and accessing affordable credit. A fair assessment of their work, encompassing both domestic and agricultural labor, is crucial for equitable compensation. Similarly, women-led Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) struggle with credit access, necessitating strengthened financial systems tailored to their needs.

While women constitute a significant portion of agriculture university students, their transition into leadership roles in the corporate sector remains limited. Addressing this disparity requires a shift towards joint ownership of assets and more effective implementation of supportive government policies, potentially through public-private partnerships. Greater availability of digital data is also needed to track income disparities and infrastructural development effectively.