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Women Farmers of
India
No doubt, "the feminisation of agriculture" is taking place at a rapid pace, but women still face many problems as old attitudes die hard. India’s inherently patriarchal mindset has not adjusted rapidly enough. The farmers are still generally perceived as ‘male’ by policy makers as well as in public perception. The chapter on "gender inequality" deals with one of the long-standing issues of the gender dimensions of Indian agriculture. It highlights that women’s contribution to agriculture in particular is not only underestimated, it is also severely undervalued and neglected in policy. The authors state that it is imperative to formulate policy that is sensitive to women’s role and need in agriculture. The policy must be conducive to the changes that are happening. More importantly, it is public recognition that is needed, so that it can be done to overcome the obstacles and to promote the progressive social attitude. One of the important challenges increasingly faced by Indian women farmers is less access to land, credit and technical assistance. In addition, they have to battle tradition and deal with organisations and equipment graced to servicemen. The chapter Just Rights and Better Access discusses the state of women’s rights to resources. The book goes into the roots of the problem and examines the link between women and land. With impressive data description, the authors build up a useful wealth of statistical information about the subject. The reader experiences what women farmers need ultimately—greater autonomy, greater options and lots more in their quality of life. For that concerted, well thought-out plans and programmes are required. To sum up, the book provides valuable information to the policy makers and social scientists enlightening their way by which agricultural production could be improved, thus overcoming poverty and income inequality.
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The
book argues that "the face of the Indian farmer is a woman’s
face". With men moving out of agriculture, women’s work has
become more visible over the last few decades. The book offers
critical perspectives on various issues, including gender inequality,
technological empowerment, ownership of land, unmet collective needs
that women have like public provision of health care, hygiene, water,
energy. More importantly, it provides valuable information on the
policies and programmes for women development as well as women welfare
in different Five-Year Plans.