Women play a vital role in Indian agriculture but often have limited roles and lack empowerment. They comprise over 40% of the global agricultural workforce but in India are often restricted to less skilled jobs like sowing, weeding, and harvesting that fit around childrearing. Fewer than one-third of Indian women participate formally in the labor force compared to four-fifths of men. Income generating activities can empower women and improve their socioeconomic conditions by providing opportunities like food processing, dairy production, livestock raising, handicrafts, and small shops. These activities are suited to traditional female roles and can increase women's incomes and decision-making abilities.

1. Essay writing competition
on
the occasion of
Mahila Kisan Diwas-15th
October,2017
Submitted by:-
Akhlak mohammed
Roll no. 1623

2. Role of Women in Agriculture and Women Empowerment through Income Generation
"When women are empowered and can claim their rights and access to land, leadership,
opportunities and choices, economies grow, food security is enhanced and prospects are
improved for current and future generations", Michelle Bachelet
Women are the backbone of the development of rural and national economies. They comprise
43% of the world’s agricultural labor force, which rises to 70% in some countries.
Agriculture in India defines familial tradition, social relations and gender roles. Female in the
agricultural sector, whether through traditional means or industrial, for subsistence or as an
agricultural laborer, represents a momentous demographic group. Agriculture is directly tied to
issues such as economic independence, decision-making abilities, agency and access to
education and health services and this manner has created externalities such as poverty and
marginalization, and compounded issues of gender inequality.
In India, the typical work of the female agricultural laborer or cultivator is limited to less skilled
jobs, such as sowing, transplanting, weeding and harvesting, that often fit well within the
framework of domestic life and child-rearing. Many women also participate in agricultural work
as unpaid subsistence labor. According to United Nations Human Development Report only
32.8% of Indian women formally participate in the labor force, a rate that has remained steady
since 2016 statistics. By comparison men constitute 81.1%.
“women is the companion of man, gifted with equal mental capacity”._ Mahatma Gandhi.
Women empowerment is an essential tool to bring about changes in their socio- economic
condition. There is a widespread feeling at the national as individual levels that no society can
progress as long as women, a major constituent of society lag behind. The need for women’s
empowerment arises from the subordinate position that have been accorded for a long time.
WHAT ARE INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES?
Income generating activities will be considered those initiatives that affect the economic aspects
of people’s lives through the use of economic tools such as credit. Other types of support
affecting women’s production are considered complimentary to income generating activities.
Income generating activities
1) Food drying. processing and preservation-Dried fruit, vegetables and herbs ,processed fruit
and vegetable. Production of jams, pickles, vegetable pastes, fruit juices could all increase
women's income.
2) Preparation and marketing of dairy products-Milk processing is one area of traditional
female responsibility and production of local cheese is done by women.
3) Agricultural production-Some agricultural production activities can be carried out in order
to provide income such as: vegetables, aromatic and medicinal plants.

3. 4) Establishment and improvement of livestock and poultry raising- "low educational older
women" is to establish or improve their animal production by buying cows or small ruminants or
improved poultry.
5) Other activities relevant to agricultural and animal production
- Mushroom cultivation
- Silkworm breeding
- Beekeeping
6) Handicrafts-Carpet manufacturing, knitting and sewing. These activities are traditional and
integrated in the cultural context.
7) Shopkeeper activities-The possibilities for women to establish a small people's dispensary at
village level or at least a village pharmacy with basic medicines.