Discuss the various economic and socio-cultural forces that are driving increasing feminization of agriculture in India. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2014]

Feminization of Agriculture in India

Economic Forces

1. Male Out-Migration:
   • Rural men migrate to cities for non-farm jobs, leaving women to manage agriculture.
   • Example: Bihar, Odisha witness high male migration.
2. Low Mechanization & Informal Nature:
   • Women engage in labor-intensive activities like sowing and weeding due to low access to technology.
3. Wage Disparity:
   • Women are employed as low-wage agricultural laborers.
   • Example: Gender wage gap in agriculture (₹291 for men vs. ₹228 for women in 2022, NSSO).

Socio-Cultural Forces

1. Customary Land Rights:
   • Women lack land ownership (only 14% of operational land holdings are owned by women).
   • Limits decision-making and credit access.
2. Rise in SHGs & Women-Led Farming:
   • Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and NGOs promote female agripreneurship (e.g., Deccan Development Society in Telangana).

Conclusion

Feminization of agriculture is driven by economic necessity and cultural constraints. Empowering women through land rights, credit access, and mechanization is crucial for sustainable agricultural growth.