Feminization of agriculture: a case from India BOX 3 The Economic Survey of India 2017-18 highlighted the growing feminization of agriculture in India due to men’s increased rural-to-urban migration. The feminization of agriculture is not just a temporary trend but a structural shift that requires a long-term strategy. The rise in the proportion of skilled agriculture labourers among women (from 48% in 2018-19 to 59.4% in 2022-2325) indicates a growing trend of women taking up more specialized roles in agriculture. Moreover, the decline in the share of elementary agriculture labourers among women, from 23.4% to 16.6% over the same period, suggests that women are moving towards more market-oriented roles.26 Women working in agriculture are twice as likely to be between the ages of 15 and 45 than over 45.27 As more women take on prominent roles in the agriculture sector and many become early adopters of technology, using platforms like WhatsApp, a valuable new market segment is emerging. Availability of ESG and impact finance Gender is a critical component of environmental, social and governance (ESG) frameworks, and predictions suggest that the adoption of ESG frameworks will increase over time among asset managers. For instance, by 2025, 33% of global asset managers are likely to adopt ESG frameworks.28 The same is true for investors using a gender lens explicitly. Between 2007 and 2021, the number of funds that use a gender lens increased by 250%.29 Owing to these market shifts, having a focus on gender as a core part of a company’s business model is likely to ease access to capital in the long run. Reducing the gender gap in smartphones Promisingly, in 2023, mobile internet adoption increased among women, accompanied by a shrinking gender gap in smartphone ownership.30 As more women gain access to smartphones and mobile internet, agritech companies are likely to find it less expensive to reach and serve women farmers. Additionally, the total serviceable market of women farmers will increase. Increased use of messaging and video- sharing platforms Access and increased use of smartphones are leading to more rural women accessing messaging services such as WhatsApp and YouTube. These digital platforms are opening new doors for women to access information and be part of a virtual community. It is estimated that, globally, 47.1% of WhatsApp users are women.31 In India, 37.8% of WhatsApp users are women.322 34 Perception shifts Besides increased female participation in agriculture, interviews with stakeholders from the agritech ecosystem highlighted several other reasons why businesses believe that investing in gender-inclusive solutions can create both business value and transformational social impact. These reasons mostly involve changes in perceptions of women as a customer segment. Women are better borrowers, highlighting their commitment and disciplined approach One of the key areas where gender inclusivity can drive economic growth is through improving access to credit for women farmers. Women often face barriers in access to formal credit due to a lack of collateral and land ownership rights. 1 Agritech for Women Farmers: A Business Case for Inclusive Growth 15

Agritech for Women Farmers 2024