Women in Kashmir’s Agricultural Economy: Challenges and Contributions

Introduction

Agriculture is the dominant sector in Jammu and Kashmir and is rightly considered the backbone of the region’s economy. However, its condition remains deplorable, and it has often been treated as a “backbone without a spinal cord.”

While agriculture significantly contributes to the region’s Gross State Domestic Product, data analysis reveals a continuous decline in its prominence as a primary occupation. Traditionally, farming has been a family-centred activity, and it is high time we acknowledge the critical role of women in this venture.

In rural Kashmir, women play a pivotal role in farming, particularly in paddy cultivation. Studies show that women undertake about 80–85% of agricultural operations independently or alongside men. Key tasks performed by women include seedbed preparation, transplanting, weeding, harvesting, and, to some extent, applying fertilizers, insecticides, weedicides, and fungicides. They also actively participate in threshing, winnowing, bagging, and storing the harvested crops, often continuing to ensure proper care of the produce at home.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the participation of women in agriculture, with a focus on their indispensable contributions to food production, sustainability, and rural economies. Despite their significant involvement, women frequently face barriers that limit their full participation and recognition in this critical sector. Addressing these challenges is essential to empower women and enhance the overall productivity and resilience of the agricultural sector in Jammu and Kashmir.

Contribution of Women to the Agricultural Economy

Women play a crucial role in agriculture, contributing significantly to both farm production and household management. Their contributions extend beyond crop production and harvesting to encompass essential domestic responsibilities such as cleaning, cooking, child-rearing, and other farm-related duties. This dual role is not unique to any specific society but is observed globally.

On average, women account for 55%–60% of total agricultural labor, although this figure varies regionally. In the Indian Himalayas, for instance, studies show that on a one-hectare farm, a pair of bullocks works 1,064 hours annually, men contribute 1,212 hours, while women work an astonishing 3,685 hours. This highlights their substantial role in agricultural productivity.

In the rural society of Kashmir, women are heavily involved in agricultural activities. Statistics indicate that 75% of rural women in Kashmir actively participate in farming and allied tasks. Despite their remarkable contributions, the efforts of rural women in agriculture often go unrecognized and undervalued.

It is imperative to acknowledge and appreciate the critical role of women in the agricultural economy. Recognizing their contributions can pave the way for empowering women, ensuring equitable opportunities, and enhancing overall agricultural productivity and sustainability.

Unyielding Barriers for Women in the Agricultural Economy: Rights and Policies in Perspective

Despite the existence of laws designed to safeguard the rights of women and labourers, peasant women continue to face widespread discrimination and marginalization. According to agricultural statistics, approximately 73.2% of women in rural India are engaged in agriculture, yet only 12% of them own farmland. While the Supreme Court ruled in 2020 that women have equal inheritance rights to property as men, societal norms, cultural traditions, and systemic biases still predominantly view agriculture as a male-dominated sector.

The India Human Development Survey reveals that 82% of agricultural land is owned by men, whereas only 2% is owned by women. This stark disparity underscores how women are not recognized as farmers or rightful heirs to agricultural property, severely limiting their ability to claim ownership and access associated benefits.

According to the 2019–2022 Economic Survey, women’s participation in agriculture has increased significantly, primarily due to high rural-to-urban migration. As young men leave rural areas to seek employment in urban centres, women have taken on greater responsibilities in managing household farms. However, they often remain excluded from government schemes because they are not formally recognized as farmers. As a result, women are unable to access vital benefits such as crop insurance, agricultural loans, debt waivers, and government assistance, which could otherwise support their families and enhance their livelihoods.

In Jammu and Kashmir, women have long been deeply involved in agricultural activities. Yet, cultural and social conventions restrict their full participation in agricultural development. Their role in decision-making related to farming activities is particularly limited, further exacerbating their marginalization.

To bridge these gaps, it is essential to formally recognize women as farmers and ensure they have equitable access to resources, rights, and decision-making processes. Empowering women in agriculture not only promotes gender equality but also strengthens the agricultural economy as a whole.

Challenges Faced by Women in Agriculture and Entrepreneurship

Rural women engaged in agriculture and business face numerous challenges, primarily due to societal norms, educational and professional barriers, and the need to balance work and family responsibilities. Some of the key challenges are:

Traditional Mindsets:

In patriarchal societies, women are often viewed as less capable in business. This perception discourages investment in their ventures, as financing women entrepreneurs is considered risky. Such traditional mindsets remain a significant barrier for women aspiring to establish themselves in business.

Mobility Constraints:

Although societal perceptions are gradually evolving in Jammu and Kashmir, many still believe a woman’s primary role is confined to the household. For women entrepreneurs, especially in rural areas, mobility is a major challenge. This issue is further exacerbated by the region’s conflict-related insecurity, which restricts their movement and business opportunities.

Lack of Capital and Finance:

Women entrepreneurs often struggle to access traditional financial resources, such as bank loans. Financial institutions are hesitant to lend to women, fearing they might abandon their ventures. Moreover, women often lack the financial literacy and legal knowledge needed to secure funding or start an enterprise.

Low Literacy Rates:

The female literacy rate in Jammu and Kashmir is 53.36%, significantly lower than the male literacy rate, with an even steeper decline in rural areas. This lack of education and training in relevant skills poses a major obstacle for rural women aspiring to start and sustain businesses.

Lack of Family Support:

Many rural women entrepreneurs face resistance from their families, who doubt their potential for success. Social and cultural norms often influence family opinions, discouraging women from pursuing entrepreneurial ambitions and further limiting their opportunities.

Low Confidence Levels:

Due to societal pressures and traditional family mindsets, many women lack confidence in their abilities. This lack of self-belief undermines their potential to initiate and sustain successful business ventures.

Inadequate Infrastructure:

Rural women entrepreneurs often encounter infrastructure challenges, such as limited access to reliable transportation, technology, and marketing facilities. Dependence on external support for essential business operations, such as marketing and sales, can lead to exploitation or mismanagement, further hampering their success.

Empowering Rural Women: Addressing Gender Inequality in Sustainable Development

The Government of India has prioritized the empowerment of rural women through various schemes, such as the J&K NRLM (UMEED) initiative, which supports Self-Help Groups (SHGs) by providing self-financing opportunities. One significant feature is the provision of Micro Credit Loans to SHGs at an interest rate of 5%, with a repayment period of three years.

While India has made remarkable progress in many sectors, gender inequalities remain deeply entrenched across all dimensions of sustainable development. The Indian Constitution enshrines the principle of gender equality, granting women equal rights and empowering them through measures of positive discrimination to address the socio-economic and political disadvantages they face.

Globally, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) emphasizes the principle of equality, advocating for the elimination of stereotypes, rigid gender roles, and prejudices that limit women’s potential. Article 13 of the convention specifically guarantees women’s right to earn a livelihood and autonomy in economic activities, recognizing that women, like men, are entitled to pursue economic opportunities in line with their aspirations.

Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but also a cornerstone for building a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. Despite progress over the decades, achieving gender equality by 2030 remains a distant goal. Women and girls represent half of the world’s population—and half of its potential—yet gender inequality persists, hindering both social and economic progress.

Globally, women in the labor market still earn 23% less than men, on average, and spend nearly three times as many hours on unpaid domestic and caregiving work. Addressing these disparities is critical to unlocking the full potential of women and achieving sustainable development goals.

By promoting initiatives like UMEED and ensuring adherence to international frameworks like CEDAW, India and the global community must work towards eliminating gender-based barriers and empowering women economically and socially. Gender equality is not just an aspiration; it is an imperative for collective progress.

Conclusion

This study underscores the pivotal role of women in Kashmir’s agricultural sector, where they significantly contribute to food production and the rural economy. However, their active involvement in diverse agricultural activities is often undermined by numerous barriers that restrict their full participation and recognition. Factors such as cultural norms, limited access to resources, low literacy rates, and inadequate support systems contribute to their marginalization in this critical sector.

Addressing these challenges is imperative for promoting gender equality and enhancing agricultural productivity. Policymakers must recognize and integrate women’s contributions into policy frameworks to ensure their inclusion in decision-making processes. This approach is vital for fostering sustainable development and creating a more equitable and resilient agricultural sector in the region.

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