Model Answer

India’s agricultural sector is witnessing a gradual feminisation, with women constituting nearly 30–35% of cultivators and over 40% of the agricultural workforce. Despite this, their contributions remain structurally under-recognized, reflected in limited land ownership, restricted access to institutional credit, and low penetration of crop insurance. In this context, initiatives like the Krishi Sakhi Initiative launched by the Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited assume significance in promoting gender-inclusive agricultural development.

The Krishi Sakhi Initiative plays a multi-dimensional role in empowering women farmers. First, it enhances awareness and financial inclusion by educating women about crop insurance schemes, thereby improving their risk-bearing capacity against climate uncertainties. Second, through capacity building and workshops, it equips women with knowledge of agricultural best practices and insurance processes, strengthening their role as informed stakeholders. Third, the initiative adopts a community-based outreach model, including campaigns on sanitation, hygiene, and social awareness, thereby addressing broader socio-economic constraints that hinder women’s participation. Finally, by formally recognizing women as “Krishi Sakhis,” it contributes to visibility and agency, challenging traditional gender norms in rural India.

However, the initiative’s impact may be constrained by structural bottlenecks. Persistent issues such as lack of land titles, digital illiteracy, and socio-cultural barriers limit women’s access to institutional benefits. Additionally, without convergence with existing programs like SHGs under NRLM, such initiatives risk remaining fragmented and localized.

Going forward, a holistic approach is required, integrating Krishi Sakhi with rural livelihoods missions, ensuring gender-sensitive policy design, and promoting joint land titles and financial literacy. Only then can such initiatives move beyond symbolic inclusion to achieve substantive empowerment, making women equal partners in India’s agricultural transformation.