Ecosystem recommendations Besides the recommendations for the private sector, there are specific systemic issues that governments and developmental organizations can address through targeted interventions. For instance, at an ecosystem level, it is important to 1) gather more data and insights on gender roles in agriculture, 2) promote high-quality jobs in agritech for women, 3) establish more women-centric structures of farmer aggregation, and 4) create an online registry of women SHGs and FPOs. Recommendations for governments and developmental organizations BOX 4 1. Gather more data and insights on gender roles in agriculture: Research and analysis of gender roles in agriculture is crucial for designing targeted interventions that can address some of the barriers women face. However, currently, such data is only available for a few value chains across a few geographies. Given that such studies are likely to create a strong foundation for the private sector to innovate in gender-inclusive agritech, governments and developmental funders should explore investing in such research to be made available publicly. 2. Promote high-quality agritech jobs for women: The use of digital technologies in agriculture has grown significantly, leading to the creation of high-value jobs. New roles have emerged, such as drone pilots and operators of AI-enabled quality assessment equipment. A crucial step to improving women’s participation in the digital agriculture ecosystem is to incentivize women’s participation in technology-based roles. India has introduced a programme that offers subsidies and interest rate reductions to women’s SHGs to purchase drones. The programme also includes free training to help women become drone pilots, enabling them to earn extra income. 3. Establish women-centric farmer organizations: Aggregating female customers is essential for lowering the cost of acquiring them for digital agricultural services. Anecdotal evidence shows that formal group structures, like producer companies, savings groups or SHGs, can serve as effective channels for delivering services. Hence, there is significant potential for governments to establish women- owned companies, especially around value chains that have a predominance of women. Having such formal structures will aid the delivery of digital agricultural technologies. 4. Create an online registry of women SHGs and FPOs for agritech: Governments can create an online registry of women-led FPOs or SHGs that are engaged in agriculture. This information will help agritech companies reach out to these community institutions directly and offer agritech services. Identification, education and onboarding of customers are costly in agritech, and such a registry will be a win-win for both women farmers and service providers. Agritech for Women Farmers: A Business Case for Inclusive Growth 25

Agritech for Women Farmers 2024