Major Government Schemes for Women Farmers in India

Women constitute a major portion of India’s agricultural workforce, performing critical roles in crop production, livestock rearing, post-harvest processing, and allied farm activities. The phenomenon of the feminization of Indian agriculture stems from rural-to-urban male migration, leading women to manage farm operations directly. To address structural challenges like land ownership gaps, credit access barriers, and limited technological reach, the Government of India implements targeted schemes, reservation mandates, and skill development programs.

Flagship Women-Centric Agricultural Schemes

Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP)

• Sub-scheme Context: Launched as a sub-component of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) under the Ministry of Rural Development.
• Primary Objective: Empower women farmers by improving their active participation in sustainable agriculture, livestock rearing, and non-timber forest produce (NTFP).
• Implementation Mechanism: Focuses on community-based institution building, capacity creation through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and promoting eco-friendly farming practices.

Namo Drone Didi Scheme

• Outlay and Scope: Approved as a Central Sector Scheme with a budgetary allocation of Rs 1,261 crore for the period 2023-24 to 2025-26.
• Target Beneficiaries: Aims to equip 15,000 women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) with agricultural drones to offer rental services to farmers.
• Financial Assistance: Provides Central Financial Assistance covering 80% of the drone cost up to a maximum subsidy of Rs 8 lakh per SHG.
• Training Infrastructure: Includes a 15-day training module covering mandatory remote pilot license training, drone maintenance, and liquid fertilizer spraying techniques.

Krishi Sakhi Convergence Program

• Joint Initiative: Launched jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and the Ministry of Rural Development.
• Mandate: Certifies and trains rural women SHG members as Krishi Sakhis to deliver agricultural extension services at the grassroots level.
• Service Scope: Covers soil health card sampling, natural farming promotion, seed processing, micro-irrigation guidance, and doorstep advisory to smallholders.

Gender Mainstreaming Provisions in Central Sector Schemes

Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)

• Subsidy Differential: Provides a higher subsidy rate of 50% for women farmers compared to 40% for general category male farmers on the purchase of agricultural machinery and equipment.
• Custom Hiring Centres: Encourages women SHGs to set up and manage Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) to generate non-farm rental income.

Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA)

• Fund Reservation: Mandates that a minimum of 30% of total scheme funds under the Sub-Mission on Agriculture Extension (SMAE) be spent on women farmers.
• Food Security Groups: Supports the formation of Women Food Security Groups (FSGs) to maintain community seed banks, kitchen gardens, and nutritional security.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)

• Direct Income Support: Provides Rs 6,000 per year in three equal installments directly into the bank accounts of landholding farmer families.
• Women Coverage: Over 3 crore women farmers receive direct financial transfers under PM-KISAN, strengthening their operational liquidity.

Comparative Overview of Key Initiatives

Specialized Livelihood Initiatives in Allied Sectors

National Livestock Mission (NLM) and Dairy Initiatives

• Poultry and Goat Farming: Provides capital subsidies up to 50% for setting up rural backyard poultry, sheep, and goat breeding units managed by women.
• Cooperative Dairy Networks: Promotes women-led dairy cooperative societies, providing milk testing equipment and cold chain facilities.

National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) Interventions

• Fisheries Support: Allocates financial assistance to women self-help groups for fish processing, seaweed cultivation, net making, and ornamental fish rearing.
• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): Offers a 60% capital subsidy for women beneficiaries compared to 40% for general categories.

Core Facts on Women in Indian Agriculture

• Agriculture employs roughly 80% of all economically active women in rural India, forming the backbone of farm operations.
• National Mahila Kisan Diwas is celebrated annually on October 15 to recognize the contributions of women farmers.
• The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare mandates spending at least 30% of funds on women beneficiaries across all beneficiary-oriented schemes.
• ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture (ICAR-CIWA) located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, is the premier institute conducting research on gender issues in farming.
• Under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), crop insurance enrollment is actively extended to women landholders and tenant farmers.
• Land ownership remains a challenge, as women own less than 14% of operational agricultural landholdings despite performing over 60% of farm labor.
• Custom Hiring Centres managed by women SHGs lower capital expenditure for small and marginal landholders through affordable farm equipment rentals.
• The Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK) historically provided micro-credit support to rural women entrepreneurs engaged in farm and non-farm enterprises.