Digital Technologies: Women & Farm Work in India

Context-

Recent advancements in digital technologies are reshaping India’s agricultural landscape, especially for women farmers. With greater access to information, finance, and modern tools, women are now playing a stronger and more empowered role in farm operations.

Women in Indian Agriculture: Key Contributions

• Vital Role: Women constitute about 75% of full-time farm labor in India.
• Employment Share: Agriculture employs 54.6% of India’s total workforce (Census 2011).
• Rural Dependence: Over 80% of rural women rely on agriculture for their livelihoods (ICAR).
• Workforce Participation: Higher among rural women (41.8%) than urban women (35.31%) – MoSPI, 2017.
• Food Production: Women are responsible for 60–80% of India’s total food production.

How Digital Technologies Empower Women in Agriculture

1. Improved Decision-Making

• Mobile advisories (e.g., Digital Green, Precision Agriculture for Development) offer:
  • Real-time weather forecasts
  • Market price updates
  • Best practices in crop management

2. Higher Productivity & Lower Labor Burden

• Tools like drip irrigation and solar pumps reduce time-intensive manual labor.
• Climate-resilient techniques (e.g., drought-resistant seeds, vertical farming) help women adapt to environmental challenges.

3. Market Access through Mobile Platforms

• eNAM: Connects women directly to buyers.
• Kisan Suvidha, AgriMarket App: Assist in market price discovery and weather alerts.
• Pusa Krishi App: Offers expert advice to improve yields.

4. Financial Inclusion

• Digital Payment Systems (e.g., AePS, DBT) enable secure payments and subsidies.
• Jan Dhan Yojana & SHG-Bank Linkage programs enhance access to loans and credit.

5. Smart Farming Technologies

• AI-based apps for crop disease detection and pest alerts.
• IoT-enabled irrigation optimizes water usage.
• Precision farming tools (GPS-guided equipment, drones) boost efficiency.

6. Online Training & Digital Literacy

• Digital Green: Uses community video approach to train rural women.
• YouTube Channels: Share easy-to-understand farming tutorials.
• Programs like NRLM & Digital India: Promote digital inclusion and literacy for rural women.

7. Support from Gender-Inclusive Agri-Tech Startups

• Kalgudi, CropIn, DeHaat: Provide AI-based farm advisory, soil analysis, and real-time alerts.

Key Government & Institutional Initiatives

✅ Digital Agriculture Mission (2021–2025)

• Promotes AI, IoT, blockchain, and remote sensing technologies.
• Focus on inclusive access for women.

✅ National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGPA)

• ICT-enabled solutions for farmers with special provisions for women.

✅ Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP)

• Trains women in sustainable and climate-resilient farming using digital tools.

✅ Kisan Suvidha App

• Provides weather data, market rates, and expert advice in a user-friendly format.

✅ PM-KISAN & DBT

• Ensures timely financial support directly to women farmers’ bank accounts.

✅ AGRI STACK

• A comprehensive digital platform for customized farm advisory and support services.

Conclusion

The digital revolution in agriculture is creating new opportunities for women farmers across India. By enhancing access to information, finance, markets, and modern tools, technology is not only increasing farm productivity but also helping women take on more empowered roles in decision-making.

With continued investment in infrastructure, digital literacy, and inclusive design, India can pave the way toward a gender-equitable agricultural future.

CBL Practice Questions for Prelims

Which startup is known for empowering farmers (including women) through AI-driven advisory and market linkages?

A. BYJU’S
B. DeHaat
C. Paytm Kisan
D. UPI Krishi

🟩 Answer: B. DeHaat

CBL Mains Practice Question

Evaluate the role of government initiatives like the Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP) and the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) in promoting digital empowerment among women farmers.

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