- Women perform 75% of crop production task in rural agriculture
New Delhi : ACCESS Development Services launched the 18th edition of the State of India’s Livelihoods (SOIL) Report, an annual publication that documents the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping India’s livelihoods landscape. This year’s special edition is dedicated to Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE), underscoring its transformative role in driving sustainable economic growth and achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047.
The report highlights that women’s participation in the workforce remains a critical determinant of India’s inclusive growth. While strides have been made—such as the rise in the female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) to 37% in 2022-23—persistent challenges like gender wage gaps, limited access to resources, and disproportionate unpaid care work hinder women from reaching their full economic potential.
Key Findings of report:
- Women constitute the backbone of rural agriculture, performing over 75% of primary crop production tasks. However, climate shocks and resource inequities disproportionately affect women farmers. A gender-responsive approach to climate-smart agriculture could unlock significant gains
- While women form a majority in self-employment—67.8% in rural areas—scaling businesses remains a challenge. Women entrepreneurs hire more female workers, emphasizing the need for policies that foster their growth
- Women perform four times more unpaid care work than men, a major barrier to workforce participation. Investments in the care economy could create 300 million jobs globally, benefitting women disproportionately.
- Public and private sector procurement from women-owned enterprises remains low despite policy incentives. Strategic market interventions can provide pathways for women entrepreneurs to scale.
The report calls for a multi-stakeholder approach to break structural barriers. Key recommendations include closing financing gaps for women-led businesses, promoting gender-responsive agricultural policies, investing in care infrastructure to reduce unpaid care work burdens and enhancing market access through inclusive procurement strategies.
Speaking about the report, Vipin Sharma, CEO, ACCESS Development Services, stated, “Women’s economic empowerment is not just a moral imperative; it is India’s growth imperative. Despite systemic challenges, women in India are driving significant economic contributions, particularly through agriculture and entrepreneurship. To unlock their full potential, we must create enabling ecosystems that provide access to finance, markets, and care infrastructure. This report serves as a roadmap for policymakers, businesses, and civil society to work collectively in fostering inclusive and sustainable development.”
The report will serve as a resource for policymakers, researchers, and advocates working toward gender equality, offering actionable insights for empowering women in India’s economic landscape.