Role of Women Labour in Agricultural Development in an LDC like India

TANMOY MUKHERJI INSTITUTE OF JURIDICAL SCIENCE

Dr. Tanmoy Mukherji

Advocate

Role of Women Labour in Agricultural Development in an LDC like India-

Tanmoy Mukherji

Advocate

In a less developed country (LDC) like India, agriculture remains a major source of livelihood. Women form the backbone of the agricultural workforce, contributing significantly to food production, livestock management, and allied activities. Despite their crucial role, women’s work is often undervalued, unpaid, or invisible in official statistics.

Extent of Women’s Participation in Indian Agriculture

→Nearly one-third of cultivators and about half of agricultural labourers in India are women.

→With increasing male migration to urban areas, agriculture is undergoing “feminisation”.

→Women dominate subsistence farming and informal agricultural activities.

Roles Performed by Women in Agriculture

1. Crop Production

2. Livestock and Allied Activities

3. Subsistence and Kitchen Farming-

→Women manage kitchen gardens, growing vegetables and fruits.

→Ensures household nutrition and reduces dependency on markets.

4. Contribution to Rural Economy

→Women’s agricultural labour supports rural income and employment.

→Their participation lowers cost of cultivation and sustains small farms.

5. Natural Resource Management

Importance of Women Labour in Agricultural Development

1. Increase in Agricultural Output

2. Poverty Reduction

→Women’s income improves family welfare.

→Leads to better education and health outcomes for children.

3. Support to Small and Marginal Farmers

→Women often manage farms in absence of male members.

→Essential for survival of small landholdings.

4. Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture

→Women rely more on eco-friendly practices.

→Important for long-term agricultural development.

Problems Faced by Women Agricultural Labourers

Government Initiatives in India-

→Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP)

→National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM)

→Self-Help Groups (SHGs)

→Priority sector lending for women farmers

→Suggestions for Improvement

→Equal wages for equal work

→Land rights and ownership for women

→Access to credit, training, and modern technology

→Recognition of women as “farmers” in official records

Women labour plays a crucial and irreplaceable role in the agricultural

development of India. However, their contribution remains under-recognized

and under-rewarded. Empowering women farmers through rights, resources,

and recognition is essential for inclusive and sustainable agricultural

development in an LDC like India.