 "Budget 2024 expectations: Empowering women farmers with technology to transform India's agricultural economy")
With the inauguration of Modi 3.0, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has signalled an unwavering dedication to not only elevate the agricultural sector but also position India as a global leader. This steadfast commitment was underscored by his first decision upon taking office—signing the file for the release of the 17th installment of the PM Kisan Nidhi, benefiting 9.3 crore farmers with a distribution of approximately Rs 20,000 crores.
This declaration is not just rhetoric; it reflects a deep-seated philosophy that has guided Modi’s policies and actions since he first assumed office. However, while the Government of India has been undertaking continuous initiatives for farmers welfare, it’s equally imperative to undertake many more progressive measures to develop and strengthen the role of technology in the gendering of the political economy of agriculture.
In the Interim Budget, the allocation for the Agriculture Ministry for 2024–25 was set at ₹1.27 lakh crore, reflecting an increase from the revised estimates of ₹1.16 lakh crore in 2023–24 and the budget estimates of ₹1.15 lakh crore for the same period. The Union Budget is going to be released on Tuesday, which underscores a commitment to intensify initiatives focused on value addition in the agricultural sector, enhancing the role of women, and increasing farmers’ incomes. However, to truly empower Mahila Kisan (women farmers), the budget should see a further increase, ensuring targeted support and resources that recognise and uplift the critical contributions of women in agriculture.
Empowering Women in Agriculture Through Technology
Agriculture is a crucial sector for human survival, and women’s contribution to it is undeniable. Women play a crucial role in agriculture, both on small and large farms, producing food for their households, communities, and beyond. However, despite their significant contribution, women often face cultural, social, and economic barriers that limit their productivity and ability to fully participate in agricultural development, including unequal access to resources, cultural and traditional barriers, and gender dynamics and gender-based violence.
A crucial aspect frequently overlooked is how technology influences gender dynamics within the political economy of agriculture. Understanding this intersection is vital for creating equitable and sustainable agricultural systems. One of the most pressing issues in agriculture today is the disparity in access to advanced technologies between men and women. Despite making up a substantial portion of the agricultural workforce, women farmers often face systemic barriers that limit their access to these crucial tools. These barriers stem from socio-cultural norms, financial constraints, and unequal educational opportunities.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsResearch by UN Women shows that if women had the same access to productive resources as men, female farmers could increase their yield by up to 30%. Improved technologies have the potential to not only attract women and youth to agriculture but also increase yields and reduce post-harvest losses.
Gender-sensitive digital technologies and the ability to access them can help women better access upstream inputs and knowledge, facilitating their potential integration into global value chains.
Given their historical significance, women and farming are inseparable in India. The country is making strides with numerous initiatives such as ‘Drone Didi’, Lakhpati Didi, and women-led agri-startups, demonstrating that transforming the lives of women farmers is well within reach. Despite this, when discussing agriculture in India, women farmers often remain overlooked. Women are involved in every stage of the agricultural process, from sowing and winnowing to harvesting and processing, all of which are highly labor-intensive. Yet, despite their significant contributions throughout the food chain, they often become ‘invisible’ when it comes to reaping the economic benefits.
The agri-technologies can create new employment opportunities and better access to organised markets and cooperatives for rural women, and they can significantly increase the efficiency and effectiveness of rural women’s enterprises. In many rural areas, patriarchal norms influence resource allocation, often favouring men for investments in mechanised equipment and advanced agricultural inputs. There are large gender disparities in the adoption of such technologies. Conversely, women are frequently confined to using traditional tools and methods, which hinders their productivity and economic potential. This technological gap not only restricts their ability to enhance crop production and cope with climate-related challenges but also affects the broader economic landscape by perpetuating inefficiencies and limiting overall growth in the agricultural sector.
Access to credit is another significant hurdle for women farmers. Typically, women have less access to liquid assets and financial services, limiting their ability to invest in new technologies. Microfinance institutions and agricultural banks often require collateral, which many women cannot provide due to unequal land ownership laws and practices. Without financial support, modernising farming practices remains an elusive goal for many women.
To address this, it’s increasingly important to provide women with small savings, loans, and financial aid without the need for collateral, like the Grameen Bank model in Bangladesh. The Indian government needs to strengthen Women Self-Help Group (SHG) banks, in addition to developing and implementing women-centric initiatives and policy frameworks.
The digital divide remains a significant challenge. Many women in rural areas have limited access to mobile phones and the internet due to economic constraints and cultural restrictions. According to the National Family Health Survey (2019–21), only 33 per cent of women in India have ever accessed the internet, compared to 57 per cent of men. The disparity is even more pronounced in rural areas, where men are twice as likely as women to have used the internet (49 per cent versus 25 per cent).
When women do gain access to digital tools, the impact can be transformative. Mobile banking services, for instance, allow women to save and borrow money without relying on male intermediaries. Digital marketplaces enable them to connect directly with buyers, ensuring better prices for their produce and reducing reliance on exploitative middlemen.
Education is a key factor in improving women’s productivity and economic status in agriculture. However, many women in rural areas do not have access to quality education due to cultural, social, and economic barriers. Women in rural areas often have lower levels of formal education compared to men, and agricultural extension services frequently overlook them. These services, designed to disseminate knowledge about new technologies and farming practices, are often male dominated. Providing education and training in agricultural practices, financial management, and entrepreneurship can help women increase their productivity, income, and leadership skills. When training programmes fail to address the specific needs and constraints faced by women, they inadvertently widen the gender gap in technological adoption.
If men control mechanisation, women risk being sidelined into less productive roles. This shift could exacerbate gender inequalities unless women are given equitable access to mechanised tools. Policies that promote joint ownership of agricultural machinery or provide women with targeted subsidies can help mitigate this issue. By empowering women with the tools they need, we can ensure that the benefits of mechanisation reach all farmers, not just a select few.
Policy Interventions: Addressing Disparities
Addressing these disparities requires deliberate and targeted policy interventions. Governments and development organisations must recognise the unique challenges faced by women in agriculture and tailor their programmes accordingly. This includes designing credit facilities that cater specifically to women, offering gender-sensitive training programmes, and ensuring that extension services are inclusive. Additionally, periodic data collection on the impact of technology on women farmers is essential to inform and refine these initiatives.
Moreover, policies must promote women’s participation in decision-making processes at all levels. From local farming cooperatives to national agricultural boards, women’s voices need to be heard and valued. This inclusion is not just a matter of equity; it is crucial for crafting policies that are responsive to the needs of all farmers.
Harnessing Technology for an Inclusive Future
Technology has the potential to revolutionise agriculture, making it more efficient, sustainable, and inclusive. Empowering women in agriculture, promoting gender equity, and increasing women’s leadership and innovation in the sector are crucial for achieving sustainable development and food security. However, without addressing the gender barriers to technological access and adoption, we risk reinforcing existing inequalities. By ensuring that women have equitable access to agricultural technologies, training, and financial resources, we can create a more just and productive agricultural economy. Empowering women farmers is not just a moral imperative; it is a strategic necessity for achieving long-term agricultural development and food security. Addressing gender inequality in agriculture requires a national as well as local approach, involving policymakers, the private sector, civil society, community leaders, and women themselves. As we look to the future, let’s harness the power of technology to cultivate a more equitable and prosperous world for all.
Sharmistha Ghosh is Senior Vice President - Healthcare and Social Impact, Avian WE, and Sujeet Ranjan is Development Sector Consultant, experiences with Tata Trusts, Nutrition Coalition, and CARE . The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
