Maharashtra Plans New Law to Recognise Women in Agriculture as Farmers

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday, June 12, announced that the Maharashtra government will introduce a new law during the upcoming monsoon session of the legislature to give women in agriculture independent legal recognition as farmers.

The proposed Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Bill, 2026, will bring a legal framework to recognise women as farmers to let them access schemes, credit, subsidies, insurance, and social security benefits.

Fadnavis made the announcement while chairing a meeting at his official residence to review the draft legislation. During the meeting, he said the state requires a policy to address long-standing barriers that prevent women from receiving government support.

According to the state government, women make up more than 81 per cent of Maharashtra's agricultural workforce. Still, many women remain outside welfare programmes because most policies are linked to land ownership. Women who work on family-owned or community-owned farmland often do not qualify as farmers. Women involved in related agricultural activities also face similar exclusions.

The new law will expand the definition of agriculture. It will cover activities such as dairy farming, poultry farming, fisheries, beekeeping, sericulture, floriculture, horticulture, mushroom cultivation, agro-forestry, and the collection of forest produce. 

As per reports, the administration is also considering including landless farmers, tenant farmers, migratory agricultural labourers, farm labourers, and people who depend on grazing-related activities for their livelihood within the wider scope of the legislation.

The chief minister also directed officials to study the possibility of creating a separate Maharashtra State Women Farmers Fund dedicated to women engaged in agriculture. In addition, the government is planning a digital system that would help women farmers access a range of services and benefits. These include agricultural subsidies, crop loans, seeds, crop insurance, fertilisers, extension services, storage facilities, transportation support, and various social security schemes.

At the same meeting, Fadnavis also announced plans related to rural drinking water supply. He said the Maharashtra government will slowly convert all rural drinking water supply schemes in the state to solar power. The goal is to reduce burden of electricity bills.