The United Nations declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, recognising the critical role of women in agriculture and food security worldwide. In India, agriculture and allied sectors are the primary source of livelihood for rural women, with 80% of rural women engaged in these sectors; women also contribute nearly 60-70% of agricultural labour. The share of operational holdings cultivated by women increased to 13.9% in 2015-16, but women's formal land control remains limited. The Indian government has launched targeted schemes including the Namo Drone Didi Scheme, which provides 80% central financial assistance for drone packages to selected women Self Help Groups, and the Lakhpati Didi initiative, which targets 6 crore women whose households earn over one lakh rupees annually through Self Help Groups. Women constitute 43% of total enrolment in STEM disciplines at the higher education level in India.
UN Declares 2026 as International Year of the Woman Farmer
UN declared 2026 as International Year of the Woman Farmer; India highlighted schemes like Namo Drone Didi and Lakhpati Didi.
Key facts
- The United Nations declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, recognising women's critical role in agriculture and food security.
- In India, about 80% of rural women are engaged in agriculture and handle roughly 70% of farm tasks, yet only 13.9% of agricultural landholdings are in women's names.
- Namo Drone Didi Scheme provides 80% subsidy for agricultural drones to train rural women as tech-entrepreneurs.
- Lakhpati Didi initiative aims to create 6 crore women earning over one lakh rupees annually through Self Help Groups.
- Women constitute 43% of STEM graduates in India.
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Which Union Minister flagged off the hydrogen fuel cell vessel in Varanasi?
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off the vessel at Namo Ghat, Varanasi.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the UN International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 and what is India's role in women's agriculture?
The **United Nations declared 2026** as the **International Year of the Woman Farmer**, recognising women's critical role in agriculture and food security. In India, about **80% of rural women** are engaged in agriculture and handle roughly **70% of farm tasks**, yet only **13.9% of agricultural landholdings** are registered in women's names.
What is the Namo Drone Didi Scheme and how does it empower women farmers in India?
The **Namo Drone Didi Scheme** provides an **80% subsidy** for agricultural drones to train rural women as **tech-entrepreneurs**. It is part of India's initiatives for women in agriculture, highlighted during the **UN International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026**. India also runs the **Lakhpati Didi initiative** aimed at creating **6 crore women** earning over one lakh rupees annually through Self Help Groups.
What percentage of STEM graduates in India are women and what schemes support women in agriculture in 2026?
Women constitute **43% of STEM graduates in India**. Key government schemes for women in agriculture include: **Namo Drone Didi Scheme** (80% subsidy for agricultural drones), **Lakhpati Didi** (6 crore women earning ₹1 lakh+ annually via SHGs), as highlighted during the **UN International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026**.
What is the Lakhpati Didi initiative and what is its target in the context of the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026?
The **Lakhpati Didi initiative** aims to create **6 crore women** earning over **₹1 lakh annually** through **Self Help Groups (SHGs)**. It is a key government scheme empowering women economically, highlighted during the **UN International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026**. In India, **80% of rural women** are engaged in agriculture but only **13.9%** own agricultural land.
What percentage of India's rural women are engaged in agriculture and how much of farm work do they handle?
In India, about **80% of rural women** are engaged in agriculture and handle roughly **70% of farm tasks**. Despite this, only **13.9% of agricultural landholdings** are registered in women's names. The **UN declared 2026** as the **International Year of the Woman Farmer** to recognise this critical contribution.
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