Analyzing Gender Disparities in Land Ownership and Wage Rates in Indian Agriculture: An Empirical Study

Abstract

The Indian economy relies heavily on agriculture, employing approximately 48 percent of the workforce, including men, women, and children. Women contribute significantly as agricultural workers, and their role is gradually gaining recognition, although certain obstacles persist. This study aims to analyze the trend of women's operational land holdings and average land holding sizes from 1995 to 2016, using secondary data. The findings reveal a negative growth rate in the number of land holdings and average holding sizes for women. This indicates a substantial gap between men and women in terms of land ownership, which hampers women's potential as farmers. It also suggests that women may have limited knowledge about their land rights. Additionally, the study examines wage disparities between male and female laborers across different agricultural tasks. In the realm of sowing, gender inequality was observed, with the highest wage gap occurring in 2005-06 when female earnings were 31 percent lower than those of male laborers. By 2019-20, the disparity had decreased to 17.97 percent. In the case of threshing, the wage gap ranged from 20 percent to 15 percent, indicating a relatively smaller disparity. Overall, women tend to receive lower wages compared to men in various agricultural activities. However, the study reveals a positive trend of increasing wages for female laborers, growing at a faster rate than wages for male laborers over time. Hence, it is crucial to acknowledge and appreciate women's roles in agriculture while addressing the existing gender-based wage gap. Efforts should be made to promote gender equality and empower women in the agricultural sector. This involves tackling disparities in land ownership and improving women's understanding of their land rights. Additionally, it is essential to work towards ensuring fair wage rates for women and implementing equal pay for equal work. By recognizing and addressing these challenges, the agricultural sector can foster gender equality and create a more inclusive and equitable environment for women engaged in farming.