Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 12/2013

When Women Farm India's Land: How to increase ownership?

Lucy Dubochet

October 2013

Oxfam Publishing

Abstract

Women have long played a crucial role in India’s agricultural production, and the trend that sees men shifting to non-farm activities further increases their responsibility. The situation of women cultivators is one of tremendous vulnerability: without land titles, they are not recognised as farmers, and thus are not able to access credits and government benefits. This policy brief outlines avenues to address the gap between the reality for many rural women and their entitlements.