The Maharashtra government introduced the Women Farmers’ Empowerment Bill in the Assembly on July 1, 2026. The legislation aims to formally recognise women engaged in agriculture and allied activities as farmers.
The Bill seeks to provide Women Farmers’ Certificates to enable access to entitlements, benefits, subsidies, services and credit, irrespective of land ownership. It includes provisions for a database of women farmers and the creation of the Maharashtra State Women Farmers’ Fund.
A three-tier institutional framework will be established, including a Women Farmers’ Empowerment Council with the Chief Minister and other senior officials as ex-officio members. Women Farmer Support Officers will be appointed at district and taluka levels to assist with certificates and scheme access.
Agriculture Minister Dattatraya Bharane stated that agricultural policies are largely gender-neutral but land ownership requirements have excluded many women. Women account for more than 81% of participation in the state’s agricultural sector, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had noted earlier.
