Subject: Indian Society

India's agricultural landscape is witnessing a significant transformation with increasing feminization of agriculture, driven by various economic and socio-cultural forces that reshape rural dynamics and gender roles.

Economic Forces

Male Migration and Employment Shifts:

• Rural-Urban Migration: Male outmigration to urban areas for better economic opportunities has left women as primary agricultural workers.
• According to recent data, female participation in agriculture increased from 57% in 2017-18 to 64.4% in 2023-24, highlighting this shift.
• The emergence of nuclear families due to globalization has further accelerated this trend.

Wage Disparities and Economic Necessity:

• Persistent gender wage gap where women earn 18.4% less than men in agricultural employment (2024).
• Daily wage disparity of ₹88, with women earning ₹294 compared to men's ₹383, forcing women to take up multiple agricultural roles.

Socio-Cultural Forces

Changing Family Structures:

• Transition from joint to nuclear families due to globalization has altered traditional agricultural labor distribution.
• Increased responsibilities for women in both domestic and agricultural spheres.

Government Support and Empowerment:

• Implementation of Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP) for improving productivity and income.
• Namo Drone Didi scheme empowering women's self-help groups through modern agricultural technology.
• PM-KISAN providing financial assistance to women farmers.

Regional Variations:

• 21 states report female labor force participation rate in agriculture between 30-40%.
• Seven states/UTs have FLFPR above 40%, with Sikkim leading at 56.9%.

The feminization of agriculture in India represents both challenges and opportunities, requiring focused policy intervention through schemes like MKSP and PM-KISAN to ensure women farmers' economic empowerment and social recognition. The success of initiatives like Namo Drone Didi demonstrates the potential for transforming challenges into opportunities for rural women's advancement.