Invisible yet indispensable: Exploring the role of women entrepreneurs in agriculture

Abstract

Women have long been integral to India’s agricultural system, contributing significantly to cultivation, livestock management, and food security, yet their labour remains largely invisible and unacknowledged in policy and practice. This paper aims to explore the avenues of women entrepreneurship in agriculture by examining their participation in primary production, analysing the phenomenon of feminisation of agriculture, and identifying the key barriers that hinder their recognition and empowerment. The study delves into the changing dynamics of gender roles in agriculture due to male migration and increasing female labour responsibilities, commonly referred to as the feminisation of agriculture. It reveals that while women have stepped into expanded agricultural roles, they continue to face systemic obstacles such as lack of land rights, restricted access to finance, limited mobility, and cultural constraints. Despite these challenges, women are gradually emerging as decision-makers and entrepreneurs in agriculture. The paper concludes that without structural reforms and institutional recognition, the potential of women agri-entrepreneurs will remain underutilised.