Written by Yashi Bhalotia
Research Intern,
Jindal Centre for the Global South,
O.P. Jindal Global University, India
OXFAM India
In the contemporary world, agriculture plays a vital role and is recognized as a potent instrument in eradicating extreme poverty. The World Health Organization (WHO) asserts that the growth of the agricultural sector is efficient, having a two to four times greater impact than other sectors on raising the incomes of the most disadvantaged (Overview, n.d.). As we strive for global progress, sustainable agriculture emerges as a pivotal element, particularly for countries in the Global South. India, a country in the Global South, confronts difficulties due to the substantial consequences of climate change on agriculture. Adopting sustainable agriculture practices is more critical than ever owing to the growing global population, changing climatic trends, and rising concerns about food security. The significance of sustainable agriculture cannot be overstated in India’s development journey. The contribution of women in sustainable agriculture is multifaceted and indispensable. They play a crucial role in the agriculture sector and the development of the rural economy. The sector employs 80% of all economically active women; they comprise 33% of the agricultural labour force and 48% of self-employed farmers (Home | Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare | MOA & FW | Government of India, India, n.d.). Agriculture contributes substantially to the GDP and is increasingly becoming a female activity, known as the feminization of agriculture. Even though agriculture is being feminized, there are several inequalities faced by women, and the role played by women is often unrecognized, which is highlighted by ecofeminism.
Ecofeminism’s Roots and Resonance in India
Ecofeminism recognizes the interconnectedness of environment and gender issues with dual objectives: protecting the environment and empowering women. The idea is a unique combination of ecology and feminism that aims to protect the natural environment by focusing on the prominence of women in protecting nature and relating with nature in a better way (Shiva, 1989). In India, Vandana Shiva, a pioneer ecofeminist, prepared the ground for ecofeminism with a bold view that women have always been the key to solving various societal problems, and environmental problems are one of them. In the West, large bodies of literary accounts have analyzed ecofeminism in different ideological terms. Still, in India, the struggle to save the environment went on for a long, even before it was accounted for in the West. Turning the pages of history, one cannot forget the iconic Chipko Movement of 1972, which exemplified India’s early commitment to environmental preservation. Vandana Shiva also strongly aligns with the idea that third-world women have the natural capacity and power within them to fight against the exploitation of nature. In this context, the ‘Narmada Bachao Andolan’ stands as a prominent example, where the active involvement of figures like Medha Patkar and Arundhati Roy played a pivotal role in bolstering the movement’s momentum. Through their commitment and determination, these women exemplify the intersection of ecofeminism and environmental activism within the Indian context.
Climate change and women farmers
India’s agriculture is significantly impacted by climate change, and women are confronting the repercussions more seriously than men (United Nations, n.d.). The changes in weather patterns and precipitation and the rise in the frequency of extreme occurrences like droughts and floods highlight the nation’s critical need for sustainable agricultural methods. Crop yield decline is one of the most immediate effects of climate change on agriculture. Shifting rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts directly affect agricultural productivity. In rural India, women play a pivotal role in agriculture; around 80% of rural women are farmers (Rural Women: Key to New India’s Agrarian Revolution | NITI Aayog, n.d.). When yields decrease, it directly impacts their income and ability to ensure food security for their families.
Moreover, unpredictable weather patterns mean that women often must invest more time and effort in agricultural tasks. For instance, erratic rainfall necessitates more frequent irrigation efforts. Since women typically handle water-related chores, this increased workload falls squarely on their shoulders. Resource scarcity is another significant concern. The key agricultural resources like water and arable land are depleted due to climate change. Unfortunately, women frequently lack access to these resources, which might limit their capacity to adjust to shifting circumstances and adopt sustainable farming methods. In addition to these difficulties, climate change may impact crop nutrition, which may result in food insecurity and malnutrition. Women are frequently in charge of seeing to the nutritional needs of their families as the primary caregivers, placing them at the forefront of addressing these challenges.
In light of these impacts, sustainable agriculture is more crucial than ever. Sustainable practices promote crop diversity, efficient water use, and soil conservation, all enhancing resilience to climate change.
Problems Faced by Women in Agriculture Sector
Land ownership among women in India tells a tale of disparity. While women comprise 73% of the farming workforce, a mere 13% own the land they toil upon (Raman et al., 2019). This vast incongruity undercuts the economic autonomy of rural women, rendering them vulnerable in the arena of credit and loans. This issue is then magnified by the unpredictable challenges of climate change, pushing them further into economic instability. Furthermore, one of the other deep problems- seated and persistent in agriculture is the gender wage gap. A regular female agricultural worker in India earns only 70% of her male counterpart’s wage, a ratio that has remained stubbornly static over time (Online, 2023). This isn’t just a testament to economic inequality and reflects the societal values that undervalue women’s contributions.
Conventional agriculture is another aspect that worsens the situation, shaped by patriarchal systems. This model promotes monoculture and chemical-driven practices, prioritising quick profits over long-term sustainability. Such practices erode the very fabric of our environment, with women bearing a disproportionate burden, given their deep connection with the land.
Recommendation to Confront Patriarchy In Agriculture
In recent years, the winds of change have started to gust through the fields of India, bringing with them tales of empowerment and hope. Stories of numerous progressive women farmers and agripreneurs like Binita Kumari, Bhavana Nilkanth Nikam and several others showcase that seeds of innovation as well as self-dependency have been sown (Home | Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare | MOA & FW | Government of India, India, n.d.-b). The success stories not only celebrate these women but also illuminate their potential for the world, reminding everyone that given an opportunity, women can spearhead the agricultural revolution. Nevertheless, a lot more needs to be done. The “Daughters, Water, and Trees” campaign in India is a shining example of confronting age-old beliefs, where tribal women act as change agents. They plant 111 trees for every girl born, which can be seen as a symbolic act of life, prosperity, and resistance against patriarchal norms.
To empower women economically, on the policy front, land reforms to ensure women have rightful land ownership can play a crucial role. In addition, promoting agroecology, which emphasizes sustainable agriculture and woman-centric farming practices, can bring about a substantial shift. Women farmers with training and resources can then turn towards these eco-friendly practices. Furthermore, women, through this training, must be taught to adopt multiple channels of income to navigate the finances at times of despair. Most importantly, by formulating gender-sensitive financial policies that provide accessible credit and loans to women at reduced interest rates, the playing field can be levelled, allowing women to be financially independent and secure. Through collective efforts and policy changes, confronting patriarchy in agriculture is not just a pipe dream but an actionable future.
Lessons for the Global South
The Indian sustainable agriculture experience can act as a valuable lesson for the other nations of the Global South, which depends heavily on agriculture, such as Brazil, Pakistan, Indonesia, Nigeria, etc. Women farmers in India hold a wealth of indigenous knowledge, passed down through generations, and this understanding of local ecosystems, crop varieties, and sustainable practices is crucial for resilient agriculture. Recognizing and incorporating this knowledge into agricultural development is essential for the Global South. Even though historically, women in India had limited involvement in decision-making processes, there are promising signs of progress, pointing towards a more encouraging future. Moreover, challenges like land ownership and access to credit loans are not exclusive to India but afflict the broader South Asia. To tackle such serious problems, specific policies in India, such as Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana Vidarbha (MKSPV), have proven to be very successful when analyzed deeply.
Consequently, by learning from such policies and adopting similar policies tailored to the national context, other countries of the Global South can uplift women’s status in agriculture and fortify environmental sustainability. India has recently started to focus on decentralized food systems rooted in local communities, which empower women farmers by giving them greater control over production, distribution, and decision-making. This strategy advocates a more just and sustainable food system and contests the dominance of profit-driven agribusiness. As a result, the lessons drawn from India’s sustainable agriculture journey, especially in the context of women’s status, hold the potential to drive positive change and advancement in agriculture and environmental preservation for nations throughout the Global South.
References
Overview. (n.d.). World Bank. Retrieved from: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/agriculture/overview
Home | Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare | MOA & FW | Government of India, India. (n.d.). https://agricoop.gov.in/Documents/annual_report_english_2022_23
Shiva, V. (1989). Staying Alive: Women, Ecology and development (pp. 2-25). http://patterns.architexturez.net/doc/az-cf-172850
United Nations. (2019). Women. . .In The Shadow of Climate Change | United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/chronicle/article/womenin-shadow-climate-change
Rural Women: key to new India’s agrarian Revolution | NITI Aayog. (n.d.). https://www.niti.gov.in/rural-women-key-new-indias-agrarian-revolution
Raman, S., Raman, S., & Indiaspend. (2019). Indiaspend. Indiaspend. https://www.indiaspend.com/73-2-of-rural-women-workers-are-farmers-but-own-12-8-land-holdings/
Home | Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare | MOA & FW | Government of India, India. (n.d.-b). https://agricoop.gov.in/Documents/Success-Story-For-approval
Association for Stimulating Know How (ASK). (n.d.). Report of the Evaluation of Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana Vidarbha. MKSP. https://mksp.gov.in/images/Third_Party_Evaluation_Report_MKSP_MSSRF.pdf
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author (s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Jindal Centre for the Global South or its members.
Global South Studies Series 