The role of rural women is shifting from unpaid family labour to farm administrators, a trend known as the ‘feminisation of agriculture’. The future of farming is undeniably brighter with women at the forefront, You! takes a look...
Over half of Pakistan’s population and 42 per cent of its labour force live in rural areas, where agriculture is labour-intensive. Women play a vital role in this sector, with contributions varying by region and evolving rapidly. However, they face significant gender disparities in access to assets, services, and opportunities, such as land ownership, technology, education, and financial services.
Many women (42.02 per cent) living in the rural areas of Pakistan start working in the fields between 29-39 years of age, followed by 28.5 per cent who start contributing to agriculture between the ages of 18-28 years. It is unfortunate to see that 86.95 per cent of women are illiterate while the education level of 10.14 per cent is just primary.
Accessibility has been a sensitive issue for the women living in the rural areas of Pakistan; they face issues in fetching water from far-flung locations and have had very less or minimal support from their counterparts. According to a recent study, 30 per cent of women described that opposition from the family is the primary cause of the limited role of women, 24 per cent reported that lack of transportation compromised their contribution while the remaining 13.3 per cent mentioned that limited business and negotiation skills created problems for them. They were doing the hard work but with limited recognition. Most female farmers (81.64 per cent) claim to be getting agricultural insights and training from their family members and friends and have adopted agriculture as a profession.
Pakistan’s female population has seen remarkable growth, expanding from 31.1 million in 1974 to 119 million in 2023, with an average annual growth rate of 2.78 per cent. As this demographic expands, so does the potential for women to drive economic progress, particularly in the agricultural sector.
For the longest time, the efforts of women farmers have been ignored. Rural women play an active role in agricultural activities, including rice and wheat farming (two of the major crops grown in the country). Studies show that equal access to productive resources could boost farm yields by 20 to 30 per cent. Both men and women are crucial during peak farming periods, especially in rice and wheat cultivation. Since machines are taking over and men are migrating from rural to urban areas, the role of rural women is shifting from unpaid family labour to farm administrators, a trend known as the ‘feminisation of agriculture’.
When these women work outside the home, they contribute to the family income, significantly improving their livelihood and status. This shift not only enhances their economic standing but also enables them to participate more in family decisions, signalling the growing empowerment of rural women. When women are economically independent, they invest more in their families, particularly in their children’s education and health. This has a long-term impact on human capital development, as better educated and healthier children grow up to be more productive citizens. According to global studies, women tend to reinvest up to 90 per cent of their income in their families, compared to 30-40 per cent for men. This reinvestment in education and healthcare leads to a healthier, more educated population, which in turn enhances the country’s workforce and economic potential.
Despite their significant contributions to farming and rural development, the female labour force participation rate has only risen to 25 per cent, just half the global average. This modest increase emphasises the need for greater efforts to unlock the full potential of women in the workforce. Traditionally men have been ruling the agricultural landscape in Pakistan, but with the latest interventions of ethically responsible organisations and NGOs, women are now being provided with access to resources such as training, land ownership, and financial support. These initiatives are helping women enhance their skills, improve agricultural productivity, and gain recognition for their vital contributions.
In India, women play a significant role, contributing 20 per cent to the nation’s GDP through their active participation in agriculture and urban services like education and healthcare. Yet, their efforts often go unrecognised, overshadowed by deep-rooted socio-cultural barriers, low literacy rates, poverty, and workplace discrimination.
Farmer-friendly services
The role of women in agriculture remains undervalued, underscoring the need for access to quality services and facilities that recognise and support their vital contribution. The government of Pakistan has no formal plan to educate the rural population, public schools are mostly abandoned. All this leads to a drastic and negative impact on agricultural produce. To fully realise the economic potential of female farmers, it is essential to introduce farmer-friendly services that can provide resources and facilitation at their doorstep.
Empowering the farmer community in Pakistan is a profitable business opportunity. Different organisations have recognised the immense potential of the agricultural sector and are certain that helping farmers can result in economic prosperity for the entire nation. They are creating facilitation centres to support farmers and offering them state-of-the-art facilities to make agriculture a sustainable means of earning profits. The future of farming is undeniably brighter with women at the forefront; modern farming encourages inclusivity and offers an equitable platform to enhance farmers’ knowledge. HBL Zarai Services is a significant initiative to address the needs of rural women. Women farmers can now access good quality seeds and other agricultural inputs at competitive prices, female agriculture experts are also available at these local farming centres called Zarai Deras to help the wonder women of fields make important decisions related to crop production and storage.
Stronger women in various fields are not just a matter of social justice; they are a key driver of economic growth and development, especially in countries like Pakistan. Women represent nearly half of Pakistan’s population, yet their economic participation has historically been limited due to cultural, social, and systemic barriers. By providing women with the opportunities to excel in fields such as education, agriculture, healthcare, and business, Pakistan can unlock significant economic potential and drive sustainable growth.
By empowering women, we ensure greater social stability. Women’s involvement in decision-making processes at the household, community, and national levels ensures that policies and practices reflect the needs of the entire population. This inclusivity promotes social cohesion and strengthens governance, which is critical for an agri-rich country like Pakistan. Empowered farmers (irrespective of their gender) can make better business decisions, attain financial freedom, compete globally, and ensure food security for generations to come.
