Women Farmers’ Empowerment Bill passed unanimously in Maharashtra Assembly
The Maharashtra Assembly has unanimously passed the Women Farmers’ Empowerment Bill, a first-of-its-kind legislation in India, aimed at officially recognizing women engaged in agriculture and allied activities, irrespective of land ownership. This bill seeks to correct the historic injustice of non-recognition, enabling women farmers to access welfare schemes, subsidies, credit, and market support. Key provisions include issuing 'Woman Farmer Certificates' by Gram Sabhas, creating a database and a Maharashtra State Women Farmers Fund, and establishing a three-tier institutional framework (Council, Committees, Cell). The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation played a significant role in drafting the bill.
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