Women’s Land Holdings Show Marginal Rise in Agri Ministry Report

Women’s agricultural land holdings have inched up from 11.72 per cent in 2015‑16 to 11.98 per cent, according to the Union agriculture ministry’s latest annual report. The PM‑KISAN scheme appears to have had a positive but indirect impact, easing credit constraints, improving input purchases and raising farm incomes for many beneficiaries.

The report said every fourth new beneficiary added was a woman, with women accounting for 26.20 per cent of new entrants. Their overall share among PM‑KISAN beneficiaries stood at 22.64 per cent, higher than their share among operational holders.

Highlighting the need for a gender perspective in agriculture, the report underscored women’s role in farm operations, livestock care, post‑harvest work and allied livelihoods. It framed gender inclusion as essential for productivity, resilience and equitable access to government support.

Agriculture expert Dr Anjali Reddy said women’s work in agriculture remains undercounted. “If women farmers receive targeted access to digital tools, extension services and credit, the benefits will reflect not only in yields but also in household nutrition and rural incomes,” she said.

She added that Telangana could benefit if gender‑sensitive agriculture is linked with local programmes in crop cultivation, horticulture, dairy and farm entrepreneurship. “In states like Telangana, where agriculture is becoming more technology‑driven, women must be included at every stage, from soil testing and seed selection to marketing and value addition,” she said.