Published: 8 March 2026FAO / PIB / Krishi JagranEconomy
2026 Declared International Year of the Woman Farmer; India Highlights Women in Agriculture
The United Nations declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer, with FAO coordinating activities with other UN agencies. India highlighted women’s contribution to agriculture through official material and the Global Conference on Women in Agri-Food Systems (GCWAS-2026). In India, 80% of rural women are engaged in agriculture and allied sectors, with 33% working as agricultural labourers and 48% as self-employed farmers. Women contribute 75% to crop production, 79% to horticulture, and 95% to animal husbandry and fisheries.
Women also face a wider science and research pipeline gap: women constitute 43% of STEM enrolment at higher-education level, but 18.6% of the R&D workforce. GCWAS-2026, themed “Driving Progress, Attaining New Heights,” was held at the ICAR Convention Centre, New Delhi from March 12-14, 2026. On land, the official Agriculture Census/Economic Survey measure says the share of operational holdings cultivated by women increased to 13.9% in 2015-16; this still reflects a large gender gap in control over agricultural assets.
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Q: Discuss the significance of the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 for India, highlighting women's contribution to agriculture and the structural land-ownership gap.
Answer (50 words):
FAO declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer. In India, 80% of rural women work in agriculture, contributing 75% to crop production, 79% to horticulture, and 95% to animal husbandry and fisheries. Yet less than 13% of farmland is registered in women's names, underscoring a persistent ownership gap.
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CoverageInternationalSubjectEconomicExamBasic Computer Instructor · CET Graduation · CET Senior Secondary · EO/RO · LDC · Mahila Supervisor · Patwar · PTI · RAS · REET · RPSC SI · School Lecturer · Senior Computer Instructor · Senior Teacher · UPSC · Vanpal · BothSourceFAO / PIB / Krishi Jagran
Practice MCQ from this story
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What percentage of rural women in India are engaged in agriculture and allied sectors?
Explanation · Correct answer DIn India, 80% of rural women are engaged in agriculture and allied sectors, contributing significantly to crop production, horticulture, and animal husbandry.
Frequently asked questions
Which UN body declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer?
FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer. The declaration was highlighted globally on International Women's Day, March 8, 2026.
What percentage of agricultural labour do women contribute in India and how much farmland do they own?
Women in India contribute 75–95% of labour across key agricultural sectors including sowing, weeding, and post-harvest activities. Despite this contribution, they own less than 13% of agricultural land in India.
Where was the global conference on women in agriculture scheduled and what were the dates?
A global conference on women in agriculture was scheduled in New Delhi for March 12–14, 2026. The conference aimed to address the gender gap in land ownership and agricultural rights as part of the FAO's International Year of the Woman Farmer.
What is the gender gap in land ownership in Indian agriculture and why is it significant for RPSC exams?
Women in India own less than 13% of agricultural land despite contributing the majority of agricultural labour. Bridging this gender gap in land ownership and agricultural rights is a key policy priority under the FAO's 2026 declaration, making it a relevant topic for RPSC exams on agriculture and gender policy.
