Women Are Expanding Agriculture’s Footprint — From Fields to Labs to Agri-Tech
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Women are expanding their role across nearly every part of agriculture: crops, horticulture, livestock, fisheries, post-harvest value chains, research, and agri-tech. That is more than a workforce statistic. It is a map of where agriculture’s next gains may come from.
For years, women’s farm labor has often been counted poorly or described vaguely, especially in family operations and informal rural economies. But visibility matters. When women’s contributions are recognized, they are more likely to be included in training, credit, technology access, land decisions, and leadership.
The agri-tech angle is especially important. If women are major users of farm tools, livestock systems, post-harvest equipment, advisory apps, and finance platforms, then they should be involved in designing and testing those tools. Otherwise, technology risks being like a tractor with the seat bolted in the wrong place — powerful, but not built for the person using it.
There are practical implications for companies, cooperatives, extension agencies, and governments. Programs that target women producers and entrepreneurs need to move beyond photo opportunities. They should focus on ownership, market access, digital literacy, equipment, data, and decision-making power.
Agriculture has always depended on women. The news is that the sector is starting to say it out loud — and, hopefully, build systems that match the truth. That is not just fairness. It is good agronomy for the whole food system.
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Business Standard - Read original articleMore from today's edition
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