Agritech for Women Farmers 2024

Foreword Women farmers play a vital role in global food security. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that women comprise nearly 43% of the global agricultural labour force and produce 60-80% of food in developing countries. With the increasing migration (seasonal or yearlong) of men from rural to urban areas, women bear a greater responsibility in agricultural operations. Despite this, women farmers’ contributions are often overlooked. Structural barriers such as limited access to land, credit, education and technology restrict their productivity and potential for growth. In addition, social and cultural norms may further aggravate this gender inequality in agriculture. Globally, the agricultural sector stands at a crossroads, facing the intersecting challenges of food security, climate change and socioeconomic inequality. However, existing agricultural technology (agritech) solutions have failed to address the unique needs and challenges women farmers face. At this critical juncture, adopting digital technologies can transform agriculture, especially when technology providers address women’s unique needs. Gender-inclusive solutions can unlock significant benefits across agricultural value chains, enhancing productivity and food security. Gender inclusivity in agritech has conventionally been viewed through a social lens. Thankfully, in recent years, the private sector has recognized that prioritizing women farmers is both economically and strategically advantageous. In India, women’s political empowerment provides a conducive environment for adopting women- led agritech solutions. Legislation has mandated one-third of all elected representatives in local self- government bodies to be women, enabling many women to become community leaders. Women’s self-help groups have also driven women-led micro- enterprises. This phenomenon, which can also be seen in other developing countries, has created fertile soil for women farmers to engage in agritech and become AI-assisted farmers and entrepreneurs. By prioritizing gender inclusivity in their offerings, organizations can tap into more business opportunities and distinguish themselves in competitive markets. This enhances their brand reputation and contributes to the broader goals of social equity and sustainable development. This report emphasizes how adopting a “5Ps” approach can drive the success of gender-inclusive agritech initiatives: –Product: Design user-friendly agritech tailored to women’s needs. –Price: Make agritech affordable and accessible to women farmers. –Promotion: Use key channels to reach rural and underserved areas. –Place: Target marketing to raise awareness among women. –People: Invest in training and support for women to adopt agritech. This report highlights the business potential, social impact and resultant economic development of gender-inclusive agritech. It encourages governments, private sectors, innovators, farmer organizations and civil societies to collaborate to demonstrate impactful gender-inclusive agritech models that can be replicated worldwide. In turn, this will unlock new market opportunities, promote social equity and drive sustainable agricultural economic development. Agritech for Women Farmers: A Business Case for Inclusive Growth December 2024Isha Ambani Piramal Member of the Board, Reliance Industries Limited Agritech for Women Farmers: A Business Case for Inclusive Growth 3