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Empowering women in agriculture for food security
The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, garnering the support of over 100 co-sponsors. The resolution celebrates the essential role of women in global agriculture while raising awareness of their challenges, which include property rights and market access.
This article highlights insights from a symposia on women in agriculture organised by the Royal Norwegian Embassy and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in India (with participation and guidance from the Government of India). It distils the discussions over six months, with 200 participants from diverse fields and backgrounds coming together to address the challenges women in agriculture face.
Some of the observations here also stem from a collaborative project called ENACT, or Enhancing Climate Adaptation of Vulnerable Communities through Nature-based Solutions and Gender Transformative Approaches, in Assam, implemented by the WFP in partnership with the Government of Assam, in Nagaon. The project aims to empower smallholder farmers, particularly women, to access climate-related information and make informed decisions to enhance their resilience. The project is financed by the Government of Norway under its strategy to promote self-sufficiency in food production and strengthen women's rights and their role in food production.
Ownership, control and access
Nearly half the global food supply is made possible by the contributions of women, who are responsible for 60% to 80% of food production in developing countries and account for 39% of the agricultural labour in South Asia. These figures highlight the vital role of women in agriculture, who face barriers and inequalities.
In India, the percentage of women who own agricultural land is significantly lower than that of men, despite women constituting a substantial part of the farm workforce. Approximately 80% of economically active women are employed in agriculture. Yet, only 14% of landowners are women. According to the latest National Family Health Survey, female land ownership is even lower, at 8.3%.
Women farmers in India report that their lack of land ownership makes it difficult to obtain credit and limits their access to financial institutions. Regular access to information on agricultural planning and advisory is essential for farmers, but women have more limited access to technology, such as mobile phones. These obstacles hinder investments, technology adoption and improvements in livelihoods. While microfinance and self-help groups provide some access, such loans are often insufficient for significant investments.
The Government of India supports small women farmers to enhance skills and promote sustainable agriculture. The Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana upgrades skills and increases resource access for women, while the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation offers 50% to 80% subsidies for machinery. Additionally, 30% of the National Food Security Mission's budget is allocated for women farmers in a number of States and Union Territories.
Empowerment for resilience
Climate change disproportionately affects women farmers by increasing their domestic responsibilities and elevating their exposure to agricultural risks. 'Our area has been witnessing rapid weather changes. The variety introduced by the project is designed to resist flood damage, and the crops can survive underwater. We are hoping for a better harvest,' says Nirmali Bora Hazarika from Roha village in Nagaon.
By engaging with women farmers, it is possible to develop replicable models of climate adaptation at the village and community levels.
The women in agriculture symposia generated forward-looking ideas. The ENACT project primarily connects women farmers with experts through information technology, providing actionable agricultural and climate advisories weekly via their phones to over 300 farmers in 17 villages of Nagaon district.
Additionally, the Climate Adaptation Information Centres facilitate video conferencing and meetings, informing women farmers about agriculture and livelihoods. This shows how scalable impact can be achieved by combining technical expertise, diversification through farm-based livelihoods, information and weather advisories, use of technologies and social behaviour change interventions.
The project is leveraging partnerships with State and district administrations, which include the Department of Agriculture, the State Rural Livelihoods Mission, and the Departments of Meteorology and Environment. The technology partners include agricultural universities, institutions for sourcing climate-resilient crop varieties.
Rural ecosystems and dependent livelihoods are vulnerable. Responses to risks should reflect community needs and capabilities. The ENACT-project emphasises the promotion of flood-resistant rice varieties, livelihood diversification, and market linkages to mitigate crop damage from flooding and promote the cultivation of nutritious local varieties. Women's farmer groups engage in a community-based smart seed production system to enhance sustainability.
Steps to take
Policy design and implementation should take into account the unique needs of women farmers. Granular data with a gender lens are needed to develop solutions tailored to women's needs. These could range from rethinking farming tools to financial needs and practices around saving or credit.
There should be a strong focus on agri-value chains that support women farmers and are managed by women. Part of this could be to enhance women's access to financing mechanisms and information while supporting their collective action and networks, such as women's self-help groups.
We have a historic opportunity to mark 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, to promote resilient agricultural development and gender equality by recognising, supporting, and enhancing the role of women in ensuring food security, fostering economic prosperity, and promoting sustainability.
May-Elin Stener is the Ambassador of Norway to India. Elisabeth Faure is the Representative and Country Director of the United Nations World Food Programme in India
