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.
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Quick Facts
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- 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.
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Reference
The Hindu| Empowering women in agriculture for food security
