At the second Women in Agriculture Summit, Godrej Agrovet Limited, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) and Godrej DEI Lab, released the report “Women in Agribusiness – Opportunities and Challenges.” The report reveals that women make up 64.4% of India’s agricultural workforce, yet only 6% to 10% hold positions in top agribusiness companies. Despite their contributions, leadership roles in the agri-sector remain out of reach for most women. The report also finds that although women constitute 30-40% of overall enrollments in agricultural courses, very few secure formal employment.
Vidya Vemireddy, a faculty member at IIMA, called this a paradox, pointing out that while women form a significant part of both the agricultural workforce and academic institutions, most never enter formal employment. She stated, “The agricultural landscape in India presents us with a striking paradox: women constitute a significant portion of the agricultural workforce and educational cohorts, yet a major proportion of the graduates do not enter the formal employment structures and leadership positions. This study addresses critical knowledge gaps regarding women’s participation in formal employment relationships within agribusiness enterprises.“
Women in farming: Labour without authority
India’s agricultural sector would collapse without women’s contributions. They plant, harvest, manage livestock, and handle post-harvest processing. According to PLFS 2023-24, 76.95% of rural women now work in agriculture, stepping into the roles of cultivators and labourers. Yet, when it comes to land ownership, decision-making, and financial control, they are barely in the picture.
In the aquaculture and fisheries sectors, women represent about 50% of all workers across the entire value chain but hold only 15% of full-time positions while accounting for 71% of part-time processing jobs. Field-based roles constitute 60-70% of agribusiness jobs, but safety concerns and poor infrastructure create substantial barriers to women’s participation and integration.
States like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have seen a rise in the number of women working in agriculture. This is primarily due to male migration to urban areas. With men leaving in search of better wages, women took over farm work to sustain their families. However, this increase is not necessarily a sign of empowerment. With few non-farm job opportunities available, many take up farming as the only viable means of survival. Unlike men, who often move to better-paying sectors, women remain trapped in low-income agricultural roles with no job security.
Women in agriculture: Stuck in low-wage, unstable jobs
Agrifood systems serve as a primary source of employment for women worldwide, often more so than for men, especially in countries like India. Young women, especially those aged 15–24, depend on agriculture for employment, but they enter the workforce with low wages, unstable jobs, and little opportunity to transition into higher-paying roles.
Women in agriculture earn 18.4% less than men, meaning that for every dollar a man makes, a woman earns only 82 cents for the same work in the same fields under the same sun. Training programs and financial support tend to favour men, making it harder for women to improve their productivity or move into higher-paying roles.
Even within family-run agribusinesses, men typically control major decisions, from investments to market negotiations, while women handle labour-intensive tasks with little say in financial or operational matters.
Key discussions at the women in agriculture summit
At the Women in Agriculture Summit, Godrej Agrovet highlighted its efforts to empower women across the food value chain through its subsidiary, Godrej Foods Limited (GFL). With programs like WINGS, GFL is increasing women’s presence in sales, marketing, and leadership roles in the food supply chain.
The summit went beyond discussions and announced ground-level initiatives. Nisaba Godrej, Executive Chairperson of Godrej Consumer Products Ltd, and Balram Singh Yadav introduced the Godrej Agrovet Women in Agriculture Scholarship, which will support five students pursuing agricultural studies.
Speaking at the event, Balram Singh Yadav, Managing Director of Godrej Agrovet, emphasised the importance of increasing women’s representation in agriculture. “We believe the future of agribusiness lies in empowering women through education, workplace inclusivity, and leadership development,” Yadav said.
He further highlighted that Godrej Agrovet had pledged to support 100,000 women across the agricultural value chain and proudly noted that they have already impacted 20,000 women within a year. Mallika Mutreja, Head of Human Resources at Godrej Agrovet, revealed that women’s representation at Godrej Agrovet increased from 8% to 12% in FY25, with a target of 32% by FY28.
Beyond the field: Why ‘Women in Agriculture’ needs more than applause
At Changeincontent, we believe that facts like 64.4% of India’s agricultural workforce being women should not only surprise us but also push us. Because when only 6–10% of agribusiness leadership roles go to women, we must ask: What good is representation without recognition?
The recent Women in Agriculture Summit laid the groundwork for better inclusion, with companies like Godrej Agrovet pledging tangible change. Scholarships, leadership programs, and workplace integration are all welcome moves. However, the real test is not who gets a scholarship today but who signs the paychecks tomorrow.
It is not just about equity in agriculture but about rewriting outdated gender scripts in every industry. Moreover, it is about recognising that labour without authority is exploitation, not empowerment.
And while Women’s Day campaigns have already come and gone, we ask: what happens the rest of the year?
That is why we continue to stand by our #NoWomensDay campaign. Women do not deserve a day; they deserve dignity, decisions, and direct access to power every single day.
The final thoughts
An increase in women’s workforce participation means little if they remain locked in low-paying, labour-intensive jobs without decision-making power. Structural barriers, from unequal pay to lack of resources, continue to sideline women despite their critical role in sustaining global food systems.
Women must have the same opportunities as men to own land, access capital, and lead agricultural enterprises. Without these fundamental changes, efforts to promote inclusivity will only serve as token gestures rather than meaningful progress.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are based on the writer’s insights, supported by data and resources available both online and offline, as applicable. Changeincontent.com is committed to promoting inclusivity across all forms of content. We broadly define inclusivity as media, policies, law, and history—encompassing all elements that influence the lives of women and marginalised individuals. Our goal is to promote understanding and advocate for comprehensive inclusivity.
