The Maharashtra government will introduce the Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Bill, 2026, in the Legislative Assembly's Monsoon Session starting June 22. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the move on June 12 after reviewing the draft.
The bill aims to provide women farmers with independent legal recognition and better access to welfare schemes and institutional support. Mr. Fadnavis noted that women make up more than 81% of the state's agricultural workforce but are often excluded from benefits due to male-centric policies and land ownership requirements.
He made the announcement after a meeting at his residence with Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar, Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane and Minister of State for Agriculture Ashish Jaiswal. The Chief Minister also instructed officials to develop a digital system for women farmers to access loans, subsidies, seeds, insurance and other services.
The legislation will address gaps in recognition for women working on family or community land as well as those in fisheries, livestock and forest produce collection.
