Hidden face of Agriculture - Turning the tide

(Sequel of article: Hidden face of Agriculture- Bitter Truth by Ramsundar)

If we get into time machine and go back, we can recall that women is the one who introduced settled agriculture while men were still hunters and gatherers. Ironically, In present scenario, the women turned out to be a hidden face of Agriculture.  She is masked by rigid societal practices, cultural taboo, rigid rules of lands.  Despite that she emerges as a sprout of hope.

We cannot disagree that women make important contribution to rural economy as Farmers, agricultural labourers and entrepreneurs.  Small scale farming, micro enterprises and cottage industries constitute the largest self employment sectors in India.  FAO (Food and Agricultural Organisation) states that promoting gender equality is not only good for women, it is also good for agriculture development.

Now, rural women farmers are involved in hybrid seed production through seed village concept, they use Information and communication technology tools, with Jan Dhan Yojna they entered into formal financial structure. Successful women farmers take the benefits of crop diversification by shifting to floriculture crops which gives them added profit through value addition like veni making, garland making, etc., Similarly apiculture, animal husbandry, food processing, sericulture are other fields in which the women farmers are reaping huge benefits.

Picture credit : Nivendran

When women gets additional income, it is true that they spend more of it in food, health, clothing and education for their children  men.  This has short term benefits for their family well being and in long term for national development.

Now, “Organic farming” becomes a buzzword everywhere. Women are saviour of organic farming. Traditionally, Women are considered to be the seed preservationists.  Their support in cattle rearing reading is important for generation of organic inputs.  Similarly, the Peri-urban vegetable farming, rooftop gardens, kitchen gardens in urban areas are dominated by female. This shows the healthy change of status of women in both urban and rural agriculture.

The National Commission on Farmers also dealt with issue of Feminization of poverty and agriculture in detail and in its report suggested setting up of creches, day care centres and other support services for women farmers and farm labourers. At the same time economic interests of women are safeguarded through Self Help Group (SHG) movement and Cooperatives.

At the same time, Government schemes like Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojna (MKSP), as a subcomponent of NRLM (National Rural Livelihood Mission) was started to enhance productive participation of women in agriculture and to create livelihood opportunities for women in agriculture.  Additionally, MGNREGS (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural employment Guarantee scheme) is reported to have increased the farm income of women agricultural labourers.

snap shot of MKSP home page

Similarly various state government scheme targets deprived women and tribal women like Mahalir thittam of Tamil Nadu which make credit accessible to women through Self Help Groups in addition to employment generation.

As a whole, Though the changing trend brings Women, The hidden face of Agriculture in limelight it should be aggregated in all spheres.  Discrimination under law must be reduced. Women farmers should be provided with equal access to resources and opportunities. Government would come forward with gender inclusive policies, gender responsive budgeting in agriculture.  This will result in agriculture development and also women empowerment.

(M. Ram Sundar is a Horticulture graduate.  He is interested in writing and reading books. He is also the admin of IMoT forum. sundar.ram94@gmail.com  )

Picture credits: Nivendran

(Also read : Hidden face of Agriculture- Bitter Truth by Ramsundar)