CURRENT AFFAIRS | MARCH 2026
CLAT Relevance
• GK Section — International Year of Woman Farmer 2026, agricultural workforce data, Budget schemes
• Legal Reasoning — Gender equity, land ownership rights, labour laws, invisible labour
• Key Numbers — 80% workers, 64.4% workforce share, 15% land ownership, 70% dairy work
• GK Section — International Year of Woman Farmer 2026, agricultural workforce data, Budget schemes
• Legal Reasoning — Gender equity, land ownership rights, labour laws, invisible labour
• Key Numbers — 80% workers, 64.4% workforce share, 15% land ownership, 70% dairy work
Women’s Role in Indian Agriculture — The Data
The United Nations designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Key Statistics — Must Remember
• Women constitute approximately 80% of economically active agricultural workers in India
• Women’s share in total agricultural workforce increased from 57% to 64.4% between 2017-18 and 2023-24
• Men’s share declined from 40.2% to 36.3% during the same period
• This shift is driven by male migration to urban areas for better-paying non-farm jobs
• Women constitute approximately 80% of economically active agricultural workers in India
• Women’s share in total agricultural workforce increased from 57% to 64.4% between 2017-18 and 2023-24
• Men’s share declined from 40.2% to 36.3% during the same period
• This shift is driven by male migration to urban areas for better-paying non-farm jobs
“Greying of Agriculture” — What It Means
The phrase “greying of agriculture” refers to two parallel trends:
- Ageing workforce: Young people (especially men) are leaving farming, leaving an older workforce behind
- Feminisation: Women — often older women — are bearing an increasing share of farm work
Land Ownership Gap
The Ownership Paradox
• Only 15% of agricultural land is owned by rural women despite their dominant role in farming
• This means women lack access to institutional credit, crop insurance, and government subsidies — most linked to land titles
• Women perform the majority of work but lack decision-making power and economic benefits
• Only 15% of agricultural land is owned by rural women despite their dominant role in farming
• This means women lack access to institutional credit, crop insurance, and government subsidies — most linked to land titles
• Women perform the majority of work but lack decision-making power and economic benefits
Women in Allied Agricultural Activities
- Over 70% of dairy and animal husbandry work is performed by women
- Women dominate post-harvest processing, seed selection, and kitchen garden management
- Yet, most dairy cooperative memberships are held by men
Budget 2026-27 — Initiatives for Women Farmers
- Bharat-VISTAAR: AI-powered agricultural advisory reaching women farmers in local languages
- SHE-Marts: Dedicated markets for women farmer produce
Mnemonic — Key Numbers
80-64-15-70: 80% economically active, 64.4% workforce share, 15% land ownership, 70% dairy work
80-64-15-70: 80% economically active, 64.4% workforce share, 15% land ownership, 70% dairy work
Source: UPSC Essentials, The Indian Express — March 2026
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