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, 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. The Indian government has launched targeted schemes including the Namo Drone Didi Scheme (providing 80% subsidy for agricultural drones to train rural women as tech-entrepreneurs) and the Lakhpati Didi initiative (aiming to create 6 crore women earning over one lakh rupees annually through Self Help Groups). Women constitute 43% of STEM graduates in India.
UN Declares 2026 as International Year of the Woman Farmer
AQuick answer
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
- 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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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 · Both
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Frequently asked questions
What did the UN declare 2026 as and what are the key statistics about women in India's agriculture?
The **United Nations declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer**. In India, **~80% of rural women** are engaged in agriculture and handle **~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 support women farmers in India?
The **Namo Drone Didi Scheme** provides an **80% subsidy for agricultural drones** to train rural women as **tech-entrepreneurs**. It was launched as part of India's response to the UN's **International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026**, aiming to empower rural women through technology.
What is the Lakhpati Didi initiative and what is its target for women's income?
The **Lakhpati Didi initiative** aims to create **6 crore women** earning over **one lakh rupees (₹1 lakh) annually** through **Self Help Groups (SHGs)**. It is part of India's efforts to empower women farmers, aligned with the UN's declaration of **2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer**.
What percentage of women are STEM graduates in India as highlighted in the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026?
**Women constitute 43% of STEM graduates in India**, as highlighted in the context of the UN's declaration of **2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer**. India has also launched the **Namo Drone Didi Scheme** and **Lakhpati Didi** to further empower women in agriculture and technology.
Why is only 13.9% of agricultural land in India registered in women's names despite their large role in farming?
Despite **~80% of rural women** engaged in agriculture handling **~70% of farm tasks**, only **13.9% of agricultural landholdings** are registered in women's names in India. This disparity was highlighted when the UN declared **2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer**, prompting schemes like **Namo Drone Didi** and **Lakhpati Didi** to address gender gaps.
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