Indian Express quotes Mamata Pradhan in the article looking at how women farmers are quietly safeguarding India’s food systems against climate uncertainty.
“Women may carry the responsibility for food production and household nutrition, but they often lack the authority and resources needed to make key decisions. This contradiction is particularly visible in farming households where men retain formal ownership of land and assets. As a result, women frequently struggle to access credit, crop insurance or agricultural subsidies, all of which typically require proof of land ownership,” says Dr Mamata Pradhan, Research Coordinator, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), South Asia Regional Office.
“Women have more responsibility in agriculture, but not necessarily more power,” she adds.
Migration has also increased the role of women in farming across India. Researchers observe that the feminisation of agriculture — the growing role of women in farming as men migrate for non-farm work — began to be observed from the 1960s and has intensified in recent decades.
“As men move to cities for work, women are taking on more responsibility for managing farms and rural livelihoods,” says Pradhan.
Learn more about IFPRI SAO’s work focusing on moving women from the “hidden workforce” undertaken as part of the Odisha’s Gender Responsive Cell project.