How Technology Impacts Women in Agriculture and Fisheries

Source: The post How Technology Impacts Women in Agriculture and Fisheries has been created, based on the article “Technologies that give women a say on farms” published in “Indian Express” on 11th March 2025. How Technology Impacts Women in Agriculture and Fisheries

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Social Justice- mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

Context: The article talks about how women in agriculture and fisheries face many challenges due to gender inequality. It highlights how technology can help women by reducing workload, improving productivity, and increasing decision-making power. It also stresses the need for systemic support and accountability.

How Do Women Contribute to India’s Agri-Food Systems?

1. Women play a major role in agriculture, livestock rearing, agroforestry, and fisheries. They do both paid and unpaid work.
2. However, their productivity is affected by barriers such as limited access to resources, knowledge, and decision-making power.
3. Gender, caste, and class influence the division of labour. Women are assigned physically demanding, low-paying, and invisible tasks.

How Has Technology Affected Women in Agriculture?

1. Most farm technologies are designed for men, ignoring the needs of women, which results in reduced paid work for women due to mechanization.
2. In small millet farming in Koraput, Odisha, men make almost all decisions regarding the division of work, resources, access to technology, and finances.
3. Women are tasked with labor-intensive jobs such as manual weeding, threshing, de-hulling, and pulverizing.
4. Tractors are seen as symbols of masculine power, reinforcing male dominance over farm machinery.
5. The M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) is working to provide women with access to appropriate technology, information, and training to empower them in agricultural settings.

What Challenges Do Women Face in the Fisheries Sector?

1. Loss of Opportunities Due to Mechanisation – Large fishing vessels and trawlers benefit men, while women struggle with processing, drying, and vending.
2. Limited Market Access – Centralised harbours are far from villages, making it difficult for women to access fish.
3. Low Earnings – Women vendors earn around ₹800 per day, most of which goes toward transport and debts.
4. Lack of Market Information – Poor knowledge about fish availability and market trends affects their business.
5. Marginalisation by Large Buyers – Export traders dominate, pushing small women vendors aside.

How Has Digital Technology Helped Women in Fisheries?

1. MSSRF has provided digital tools to low-income women fish workers in Tamil Nadu’s coastal districts (Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Cuddalore, and Ramanathapuram).
2. Women now have access to mobile phones, tablets, helplines, and audio advisories.
3. Training in internet use, digital payments, inventory management, and online business has improved their work.
4. Digital access helps them navigate market barriers, gain information on fish availability, and build resilience against economic and ecological challenges.

Conclusion:

Technology alone cannot solve gender inequality. Women need an ecosystem where men, families, communities, markets, and the state support their empowerment. Patriarchy is resilient, so accountability is needed to ensure women benefit from these interventions.

Question for practice:

Examine how technology has impacted women’s roles and challenges in India’s agriculture and fisheries sectors.