How Gender-Inclusive Agritech Is Empowering Women Farmers

Women farmers play a crucial role in global agriculture, comprising 43% of the agricultural labor force and producing up to 80% of food in developing nations. Despite their significant contributions, these women face systemic challenges that hinder their ability to fully benefit from or contribute to advancements like digital agricultural technologies, or agritech. These barriers include limited access to resources, technology, and education, as well as the dual burden of household and farm responsibilities. Addressing these issues is essential, as closing the gender gap in agriculture could boost farm outputs by 20 to 30%.

A recent insight report by the World Economic Forum, titled “Agritech for Women Farmers: A Business Case for Inclusive Growth,” highlights how agritech companies can play a pivotal role in empowering women farmers. By adopting gender-inclusive technologies, these companies can not only enhance their business profiles but also expand their customer bases.

Serving women farmers offers tremendous business potential, as agricultural technology has proven to increase production and revenues. The report suggests that agritech companies can employ the “5Ps”—product, price, promotion, place, and people, to better cater to women farmers. This approach involves designing tailored products, improving affordability, enhancing promotional strategies, refining distribution channels, and investing in human capital to drive desired outcomes.

Women in the agricultural sector of developing economies often encounter structural barriers such as digital literacy challenges, traditional gender roles, and restricted access to land ownership, financial services, and smartphones. These hurdles make it difficult for agritech firms to connect with women farmers and offer their services effectively. Compounding these challenges is the lack of gender-disaggregated data, which could otherwise help firms create customized solutions for women. Additionally, high initial customer acquisition costs and the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles within agritech companies further complicate the situation.

However, there is growing hope. The gender gap in smartphone access is narrowing, allowing more women to access online tools for education, networking, financing, and business operations. Agritech companies are beginning to recognize women as a vital market segment, with many firms embracing gender inclusivity to gain credibility in rural markets. Over the past decade, technological advancements in agriculture, such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT), have significantly improved the supply chain. These technologies provide farmers with transparent data and real-time updates on soil conditions, weather patterns, crop health, and pest detection, among other things.

Several companies are leading the charge in gender-inclusive agritech initiatives. UPL, a global agricultural solutions provider based in Mumbai, has implemented sustainable farming solutions that actively involve women farmers. Their digital platforms address rising farm costs and lower yields, with over 2,000 acres of their 25,000-acre sugar mill catchment area in Maharashtra managed by women. Similarly, Yara India, a crop nutrition company, offers high-quality fertilizers and best-practice advice to enhance agricultural efficiency. Their capacity-building programs have demonstrated that women farmers are highly responsive to training, making them valuable customers.

Another noteworthy initiative comes from Bayer India, which has partnered with the Maharashtra State Women’s Development Corporation under the Better Life Farming Alliance. This collaboration has established 27 women-run Krishi Seva Kendras (KSKs) since 2021, positively impacting over 12,000 farmers. These examples highlight the potential for agritech companies to create tailored solutions for women farmers, while also showcasing the need for systemic changes to address the persistent challenges women face in agriculture.

Government intervention is critical to overcoming these challenges. Policymakers need to address issues such as restricted land ownership, limited smartphone and internet access, digital literacy gaps, and ingrained gender biases. Isolated efforts by companies are unlikely to drive wholesale change. Instead, a multi-stakeholder approach involving governments, private sector players, and developmental organizations is necessary to create a gender-inclusive agricultural ecosystem. Such collaboration can transform agritech into a powerful tool for promoting food security and improving agricultural practices.

As the world confronts the climate crisis and escalating food insecurity, engaging women farmers to enhance agricultural output is more important than ever. Agritech companies that prioritize gender inclusivity in their designs and technologies stand to gain a competitive edge while contributing to sustainable development. By embracing the potential of women in agriculture, the sector can achieve long-lasting and meaningful impact, ensuring a more equitable and productive future for all.

(Source: World Economic Forum)