Women-led farmer producer organisations for climate resilience in agriculture

Women’s leadership in climate, agriculture, food systems and economic growth is not just desirable— it is imperative, write Zerin Osho and Isha Hiremath of the India Programme Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development (IGSD).

As the world grapples with poly-crisis, climate crisis looms large as a multifaceted challenge that demands comprehensive solutions.

Occupying the seventh spot in the list of countries most vulnerable to climate change, India finds itself on the frontline of this battle.

Agriculture, the backbone of the nation’s economy and employer of a staggering 76 percent of working women in the country, is the sector most vulnerable to climate change, both in terms of economic impact and social repercussions.

Consequently, women are the primary victims of this crisis, and this gendered impact has been proved by numerous studies over the years. With the feminisation of agriculture gaining momentum, women are increasingly bearing the brunt of shifting weather patterns, recurrent droughts and devastating floods.

Research from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) highlights how women often resort to short-term coping mechanisms in the face of environmental stresses, sacrificing long-term resilience.

For instance, during periods of drought, women in India frequently reduce their food intake, resulting in detrimental effects on their overall nutrition levels.

Moreover, women often find themselves relegated to less profitable nodes in the agricultural supply chain, making them particularly susceptible to mechanisation and shocks that can disrupt their livelihoods.

This vulnerability not only undermines their economic empowerment but also exacerbates gender disparities in access to resources and opportunities.

Addressing the gendered dimensions of climate change is, therefore, not just a matter of social justice but a critical imperative for building resilient and sustainable communities.

Women are also more commonly occupied in subsistence farming in small land holdings that expose them to a host of challenges. These include lack of marketing and storage facilities, access to credit and lack of mechanisation, among others.

Addressing these challenges requires innovative solutions, such as aggregating demand for services— a concept exemplified by farmer producer organisations (FPOs) promoted by the government.

Women-led FPOs hold significant promise in addressing the gendered impact of climate change. By pooling resources, FPOs enable farmers, particularly women, to leverage economies of scale, facilitating access to essential goods and services.

This, in turn, leads to enhanced income realisation, improved access to financial services, value addition through food processing, better marketing facilities and access to high-quality inputs into their farms.

Concurrently, FPOs can also aid in climate adaptation and mitigation. By establishing cold chain infrastructure, something that is inconceivable at the individual farmer level, FPOs can significantly reduce crop wastage, ensure better price realisation, encourage food processing and bolster food security.

Furthermore, this infrastructure can also aid in reducing methane emissions resulting from the decomposition of crop waste. Additionally, FPOs can contribute to the reduction of stubble burning, by aggregating individual farm-level stubble. This stubble can in turn be used to generate biogas. A similar model has been proposed by the Uttar Pradesh Bioenergy Policy of 2022.

The Markoma Women Farmer Producer Company in Odisha serves as a shining example of the vast potential inherent in women-led FPOs. Through the establishment of a solar-powered cold storage unit, local vegetable farmers have seen a substantial improvement in their incomes.

Operating on a nominal charge of ₹2 per kg for produce storage without time limitations, this cold storage facility has led to a remarkable 40 percent reduction in produce wastage while generating a steady income for the FPO year-round.

The assurance of cold storage has also prompted changes in cropping patterns, resulting in improved output. Moreover, the solar-powered facility also improved awareness of solar energy among the farmers.

Although the Union government has announced a multitude of measures and incentives to establish and promote 10,000 FPOs, the implementation of these initiatives has fallen short of expectations.

Despite operational guidelines favoring FPOs with women shareholders and mandating female representation in governing bodies, the formation of women-led FPOs remains dismally low, constituting a mere 3 percent of the total.

With over 2,000 FPOs yet to be created as per scheme targets, there is a pressing need for the government to revise guidelines, provide enhanced financial incentives, and prioritise targeted communication strategies aimed at women.

Women-led FPOs offer not only a solution to the multifaceted challenge of climate change but also serve as agents of empowerment. As highlighted by a study from the FAO, group-based approaches enhance resilience to environmental shocks and facilitate access to climate-smart agricultural practices and information.

FPOs led by women, particularly those focusing on climate adaptation and resilience through initiatives like cold chain infrastructure and bioenergy, present a multidimensional solution to the complexities of climate change while empowering women as frontline warriors in the battle against environmental degradation.

In conclusion, women’s leadership in climate, agriculture, food systems and economic growth is not just desirable— it is imperative.

As we navigate the challenges of climate change, women’s empowerment emerges as the key for resilience and sustainability. By fostering inclusive policies, promoting women-led initiatives such as FPOs, and providing equitable access to resources and opportunities, we can unlock the full potential of women as agents of change.

Their unique perspectives, resilience and innovation are essential for building a more just and sustainable future for all. If we invest in women, we invest in a brighter tomorrow— one where gender equality thrives, communities flourish, and our planet thrives.

Zerin Osho en Isha Hiremath

Dit artikel verscheen op 8 maart 2024 in The Leaflet – Constitution First: https://theleaflet.in/women-led-farmer-producer-organisations-for-climate-resilience-in-agriculture/

Zerin Osho is Director India Programme Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development (IGSD).

Isha Hiremath is a research and media associate at the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development.

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