Status of Women in Agriculture (YSR District, 2014–2024)

Seelam Prasanthi; M Mahesh Kumar; I Suresh Kumar Reddy; S Manasa

doi:10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i01.67619

Status of Women in Agriculture (YSR District, 2014–2024)

Author(s)	Dr. Seelam Prasanthi, Dr. M Mahesh Kumar, Dr. I Suresh Kumar Reddy, Dr. S Manasa
Country	India
Abstract	Agriculture in YSR District (Kadapa) is heavily dependent on women, who constitute the majority of the rural workforce. Despite the "feminization of agriculture" driven by male migration to urban centers, women's contributions often remain invisible or undervalued. This study tracks the status of farm women from 2014 to 2024, highlighting their pivotal role in crop production and the emerging livestock sector. In crop cultivation, women perform nearly 90% of labor in rainfed groundnut farming—specifically sowing, weeding, and harvesting—and dominate paddy transplanting in irrigated belts. While male migration has forced them into de facto managerial roles, they perform these tasks with high drudgery. Activities like manual weeding and groundnut picking are physically demanding, leading to widespread musculoskeletal disorders and Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). This physical toll is compounded by the "double burden" of managing domestic chores alongside farm labor, often resulting in chronic fatigue and nutritional anemia. A notable positive shift is the "Livestock Revolution." Aided by government schemes like YSR Cheyutha, women have transitioned from unpaid family workers to owners of buffaloes and sheep. Partnerships like Amul-Andhra Pradesh facilitate direct payments to women's accounts, enhancing their financial autonomy. Consequently, decision-making power has improved regarding livestock and household income, though men retain control over crop selection and marketing. Despite these advances, economic parity remains distant. A stark wage gap persists, with women earning ₹250–₹350 compared to men’s ₹500–₹600 for similar durations. This is driven by the cultural misconception that women's work is "light," despite ergonomic evidence to the contrary. Critically, women own less than 14% of operational land. Without land titles (Pattadar Passbooks), they are excluded from institutional crop loans and must rely on limited microfinance options. To bridge these gaps, the study recommends four key policy interventions: promoting Joint Pattadar Passbooks (joint land titling) to ensure credit access; subsidizing gender-friendly farm mechanization to reduce physical drudgery; strengthening the Loan Eligibility Card (LEC) system for landless women; and forming women-led Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to bypass middlemen and secure better market prices.
Keywords	Women In Agriculture
Field	Sociology > Home Science
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 1, January-February 2026
Published On	2026-01-29
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i01.67619

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Status of Women in Agriculture (YSR District, 2014–2024)

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