International Year of the Woman Farmer

Prelims – Sustainable development| Current event of national and international importance

Why in news?

UN Declares 2026 as International Year of the Woman Farmer.

The UN General Assembly has declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, with over 100 countries co-sponsoring the resolution.
Aim – To recognize women's essential role in agriculture and highlight the challenges they face such as land ownership, market access, and financial inclusion.
The 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer offers a historic chance to:
- Champion resilient and inclusive agriculture.
- Strengthen women’s role in food systems.
- Align agricultural development with gender equality and sustainability goals.

National Food Security Mission: Allocates 30% of its budget specifically for women farmers in several states.

Key Contributions of Women in Agriculture

Women contribute to 60–80% of food production in developing countries.
They are responsible for nearly 50% of the global food supply.
In South Asia, women account for 39% of agricultural labour.
In India, about 80% of economically active women work in agriculture, yet:
- Only 14% own land; NFHS data shows an even lower rate of 8.3%.
- This lack of ownership limits access to credit, technologies, and formal institutions.

Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP) focuses on skill development and resource access for women farmers.

Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation provides 50–80% subsidies on machinery for women.

Quick Facts

ENACT – Enhancing Climate Adaptation of Vulnerable Communities through Nature-based Solutions and Gender Transformative Approaches.
Implemented in Nagaon, Assam by WFP and Government of Assam;
Funded by – Norway.
Features:
- Weekly climate advisories via phone to 300+ farmers in 17 villages.
- Climate Adaptation Information Centres enable video training, meetings, and tech-based knowledge dissemination.
- Promotes flood-tolerant seeds, smart seed production, diversified livelihoods, and market linkages.
Agricultural departments, rural missions, meteorological departments, and agriculture universities.

Reference

The Hindu| Empowering women in agriculture for food security