Lok Sabha Question No. 3006 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-08
Subject: Women Farmers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Sanjay Bhatia, Mala Roy, Mitesh Rameshbhai (Bakabhai) Patel, Shardaben Anilbhai Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3006

TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 th  AUGUST, 2023

## WOMEN FARMERS

## 3006.  SHRI SANJAY BHATIA:

SHRIMATI MALA ROY:

SHRI MITESH RAMESHBHAI PATEL (BAKABHAI): SHRIMATI SHARDABEN ANILBHAI PATEL:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f"k vkSj fdlku dY;k.k ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the efforts being made by Government to encourage women in the agricultural sector to sow and harvest the crops and the manner in which the special benefits of agricultural education are extended/being extended to women in the State of Gujarat;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  efforts  being  made by  Government to ensure that no man or woman has to quit their agriculture profession;
- (c)  the  percentage  of  women  farmers  in  the  country  and  the  percentage  of  those women who have land holding in their names;
- (d) whether the Government plans to increase/ incentivize womens' participation in agriculture; and
- (e) whether women are not recognized as farmers despite twenty five percent stake as self-employed entrepreneurs in agricultural and allied sectors?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE d`f"k vkSj fdlku dY;k.k ea=h (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a): The Government has set up 30 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in the Gujarat state  with  mandate  of  technology  assessment  and  demonstration  for  capacity development of farmers including women farmers in the field of agriculture and allied sectors including sowing and harvesting of crops. The activities of KVKs include onfarm  testing  to  identify  the  location  specificity  of  technology  under  various  farming systems;  frontline  demonstration  to  establish  the  production  potential  of  improved agricultural technologies on the farmers' fields; capacity development of farmers for knowledge and skill up gradation; and production of quality seeds, planting materials and other technology inputs for availability to the farmers.

Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  through  the  Central  Institute  for Women in Agriculture (CIWA), Bhubaneshwar has taken steps to refine, modify and redesign women-friendly technologies to decrease their drudgery as well as increase the productivity of farm women. Some of the tools developed for drudgery reduction of farm women are Maize dehusker cum sheller for drudgery reduction of farm women (commercialized),  Women  Friendly  Power  Operated  Groundnut  Stripper  Cum Decorticator,  ergonomically  suitable  low-cost  harvesting  bag  for  easy  loading  and unloading  while  harvesting  Mango,  Seed  treatment  drum,  Pedal-operated  paddy thresher etc.

Five Agriculture and allied sector Universities of Gujarat are taking care of agricultural education  of  both  male  and  female  students.  Under  National  Agricultural  Higher Education Project (NAHEP) sponsored by ICAR, it is also encouraged to send more female students for overseas training.

(b): Government  of  India  is  implementing  various  Central  Sector  and  Centrally Sponsored  Schemes  keeping  in  view  the  present  and  future  requirements  of  the agriculture sector as well as the interests of all farmers so that no man or woman has to quit their agriculture profession. These schemes cover entire spectrum of agriculture including infrastructure, technology, mechanization, irrigation, fertilizers, seeds, skill development, income support to farmers, procurement of crops at minimum support prices,  credit  and  crop  insurance  at  subsidized  rates,  marketing,  support  for  agristartups  etc.  Pradhan  Mantri    Fasal  Bima  Yojana,  Pradhan  Mantri  Kisan  Samman Nidhi  Yojana,  Pradhan  Mantri  Kisan  Maan  Dhan  Yojana,  Minimum  Support  Price, Kisan Credit Card, Institutional Credit for Agriculture,  Interest Subvention Scheme, Agriculture  Infrastructure  fund,  Soil  Health  Card,  formation  of  Farmers  Producer Organisation etc. are implemented for improving livelihood of farmers.

(c): According to Agriculture Census 2015-16, 13.96% of total land holdings are female-operated land holdings.

As per Census 2011, out of the total cultivators (118.7 million), 30.3% are women. Out of 144.3 million agricultural labourers, 42.6% are women.

(d): Government of India is implementing various schemes and programmes for the farmers including women farmers as per eligibility and conditions existing in scheme guidelines.    The  guidelines  of  the  various  beneficiary-oriented  schemes  of  the Department  of  Agriculture  &  Farmers  Welfare  provide  that  States  and  other implementing agencies should incur at least 30% of expenditure on women farmers. These  schemes  include  Support  to  State  Extension  Programmes  for  Extension Reforms, National Food Security Mission, National Mission on Oilseed & Oil Palm, National  Mission  on  Sustainable  Agriculture,  Sub-Mission  for  Seed  and  Planting Material,  Sub-Mission  on  Agricultural  Mechanization  and  Mission  for  Integrated Development of Horticulture.

(e): Women are also recognized as farmers.

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