Maharashtra Government Establishes Committee to Draft Women Farmers Empowerment Bill
The Maharashtra state government has taken a significant step toward empowering women in agriculture by forming a dedicated committee to draft a comprehensive bill aimed at strengthening their rights and recognition. This initiative follows Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar's announcement last week that a special bill for women farmers would be introduced in the upcoming legislative session.
Committee Leadership and Composition
The committee is led by Parimal Singh, the project director of the Nanaji Deshmukh Krishi Sanjeevani Project in Mumbai. It includes several key officials and experts:
- Suraj Mandhare, Commissioner of Agriculture
- Shekhar Gaikwad, Additional Director General at Yashada
- Priya Khan, Officer on Special Duty to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
This diverse team brings together expertise from agricultural, administrative, and policy-making backgrounds to ensure a well-rounded approach to the bill's development.
Addressing Key Issues in Agriculture
During a seminar on women farmers' empowerment held at Vidhan Bhavan, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar highlighted critical challenges that the proposed legislation aims to resolve. She emphasized that many women farmers face obstacles due to their names not being included in 7/12 land records, which are crucial for land ownership and agricultural benefits. Additionally, there is a notable absence of gender-based agricultural data, which hampers effective policy-making and recognition of women's contributions.
"The government is committed to ensuring that women farmers receive their rightful recognition and respect," Pawar stated. "The proposed law will help resolve difficulties related to land records and improve documentation of women's contribution to agriculture."
Committee's Mandate and Timeline
According to the Government Resolution (GR) issued, the committee has been tasked with preparing a legal draft of the comprehensive bill for the overall empowerment of women farmers. The GR noted that discussions during the seminar led to the decision to form this committee, with the matter under consideration for some time.
The committee's responsibilities include:
- Conducting discussions with experts in agriculture and allied sectors
- Engaging legal experts and other stakeholders as needed
- Submitting the draft bill to the government by April 7, 2026
This structured approach ensures that the bill is informed by diverse perspectives and addresses practical issues faced by women in farming.
Broader Implications for Women in Agriculture
The move to draft this bill reflects a growing recognition of the vital role women play in Maharashtra's agricultural sector. By addressing systemic issues like land record discrepancies and data gaps, the legislation aims to enhance women's access to resources, credit, and government schemes. This could lead to improved livelihoods and greater economic independence for women farmers across the state.
As the committee begins its work, stakeholders are optimistic that this initiative will pave the way for more inclusive and equitable agricultural policies, setting a precedent for other states to follow in empowering women in farming communities.
