Mumbai: In a landmark decision aimed at transforming the lives of millions of women farmers and scripting a new chapter of gender equality in the agricultural sector, the ‘Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Bill 2026’ will be introduced in the upcoming Monsoon Session of the State Legislature. Through this historic legislation, women farmers in the state will receive legal recognition as independent farmers for the very first time, establishing a comprehensive framework to protect their rights and ensure their holistic empowerment.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadanavis reviewed the draft of the bill during a high-level meeting held at his official residence, ‘Varsha’. The meeting was attended by Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane and Minister of State for Agriculture Adv. Ashish Jaiswal.
Independent Rights and Identity for Women Farmers
Despite women accounting for over 81% of the workforce in the state’s agricultural sector, they are often deprived of various government schemes and benefits. Due to traditional practices where land ownership remains under the family name or registered to male members, women working in farming and allied agricultural activities are not officially recognized as ‘farmers’, causing them to face numerous administrative and financial hurdles. Against this backdrop, the newly drafted bill aims to grant women a statutory status in agriculture, ensure their financial security, and facilitate the direct transfer of benefits to them.
The proposed law features a highly inclusive definition of women farmers. It extends beyond those engaged in traditional crop cultivation to include women working in:
- Animal Husbandry and Dairying
- Poultry Farming, Beekeeping, and Sericulture
- Fisheries, Horticulture, and Floriculture
- Mushroom Cultivation and Agro-forestry
- Collection of Forest Produce
Furthermore, the legal framework is designed to protect and cover landless women farmers, tenant farmers, agricultural laborers, pastoralists, and migrant agricultural workers, ensuring no woman worker in the agro-economy is left behind.
Independent Digital Database and Dedicated Fund
To streamline access to credit, subsidies, seeds, fertilizers, crop insurance, market linkages, transport, storage facilities, and social security schemes, the state government will set up a dedicated digital platform and a separate digital database for women farmers.
Additionally, there is a key proposal to establish the ‘Maharashtra State Women Farmers Fund’ to back their financial empowerment. A robust administrative mechanism spanning district, taluka, and village levels will be deployed to ensure the strict and effective implementation of the law.
A Giant Leap Toward Gender Equality
“This bill will prove to be a turning point by giving millions of women farmers their independent identity, rights, and equal opportunities. With this initiative, Maharashtra will set a stellar example for the entire nation in achieving gender parity within the agricultural ecosystem,” stated Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
