Digital Technologies: Women & Farm Work in India

Syllabus: GS3/Agriculture; Applications of S&T

Context

• Recent advancements in technology are empowering women farmers and giving them a stronger voice on farms.

Key Contributions of Women in Agriculture

• Agriculture is the backbone of India’s economy, employing nearly 54.6% of the total workforce (Census2011), with women making up about 75% of the full-time farm labor force.
  • The workforce participation rate for rural females is significantly higher at 41.8% against urban women participation rate of 35.31% (MoSPI, 2017).
• Women comprise a substantial portion of the agricultural workforce, especially in rural areas, where 80% of women rely on agriculture for livelihood (ICAR Data).
  • The work of rural women in India is responsible for 60-80% of the country’s food production.

Role of Digital Technologies in Women’s Agricultural Work

• Enhanced Decision-Making Through Digital Tools: Mobile-based agricultural advisory services (such as Digital Green, Precision Agriculture for Development) provide real-time weather updates, market prices, and farming techniques.
• Increased Productivity and Reduced Labor Burden: Irrigation technologies (drip irrigation, solar-powered pumps) provide women with greater autonomy over water management, especially in drought-prone areas.
  • Climate-resilient farming techniques, including drought-resistant seeds and vertical farming, allow women to maintain productivity despite changing climate conditions.
• Mobile-Based Solutions for Market Access:
  • eNAM (National Agriculture Market): It allows women to connect with buyers directly.
  • Kisan Suvidha and AgriMarket App help in price discovery and weather forecasts.
  • Pusa Krishi offers expert agricultural advice to improve yields.
• Digital Financial Services for Women Farmers: These enable women to receive payments securely, avail of loans, and participate in decision-making.
  • Aadhaar-enabled Payment Systems (AePS)
  • Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for subsidies
  • Access to Finance and Credit: Initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and the Self Help Group (SHG) – Bank Linkage platforms like the Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP) have played a crucial role in improving women’s access to finance.
• AI, IoT, and Smart Farming Technologies:
  • AI-powered crop disease detection apps that provide real-time alerts.
  • IoT-based smart irrigation systems that optimize water use and reduce labor burden.
  • Precision Agriculture technologies, such as GPS-guided equipment and drones, have significantly enhanced the efficiency and productivity of farming operations.
• Online Training & Capacity Building: Government programs such as the Digital India Initiative and National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) have introduced digital literacy programs targeted at rural women. Online platforms like:
  • Digital Green: Uses participatory videos to train women farmers.
  • YouTube Agricultural Channels: Provide free farming lessons.
  • Organizations like the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation and various government agencies provide training on the use of modern agricultural tools and techniques.
• Gender-Inclusive Agri-Tech Startups: Startups like Kalgudi, CropIn, and DeHaat provide AI-driven farm advisory, weather alerts, and soil analysis, empowering women farmers.

Challenges in Adoption of Digital Technologies

• Limited land ownership: Only about 12.8% of the operational holdings were owned by women, which reflects the gender disparity in ownership of landholdings in agriculture.
  • Moreover, there is a concentration of operational holdings (25.7%) by women in the marginal and small holdings categories.
• Gender wage gap: Women agricultural workers earn 20-30% less than their male counterparts.
• Limited Digital Literacy: Many rural women lack the skills to operate digital platforms.
• Gendered Socio-Cultural Barriers: Societal norms restrict women’s mobility and independent decision-making.
• Financial Constraints: Smartphones and internet access remain costly for some women.
• Lack of Localized Content: Many digital tools are in English or Hindi, limiting regional language accessibility.

Initiatives Supporting Digital Agriculture for Women in India

• Digital Agriculture Mission (2021-2025): It promotes digital technologies like AI, IoT, blockchain, and remote sensing in farming.
  • Women farmers can access precision agriculture tools, digital advisories, and financial services through this initiative.
• National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGPA): It focuses on the digital transformation of agriculture by integrating ICT-based solutions.
  • Special provisions are made for women farmers, including mobile-based advisories and digital market access.
• Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP): A sub-component of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), MKSP aims to empower women in agriculture.
  • Digital tools are used to train women in climate-resilient practices and sustainable farming.
• Kisan Suvidha App: A mobile app providing weather updates, market prices, and expert guidance.
  • It enables women farmers to make informed decisions in agriculture.
• PM KISAN & Direct Benefit Transfers: Ensures financial support directly to farmers’ bank accounts, including women farmers.
  • Encourages financial independence and access to credit for women in agriculture.
• AGRI STACK: A digital database that helps create farmer-centric digital services.
  • Women farmers can access customized support for inputs, finance, and markets.

Conclusion

• The integration of technology in agriculture is transforming the landscape for women farmers, giving them greater control over their farming operations and enhancing their decision-making power. 
• By providing access to digital tools, precision agriculture, financial services, mechanization, and training, these technologies are paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable agricultural sector. 
• As women continue to embrace these innovations, they are poised to play an even more significant role in shaping the future of farming.

Source: IE