Women-led Farmer-Producer Companies in Rural India: Key Drivers of Agricultural Transformation and Market Linkages

Abstract

The study examines how women farmer-producer companies support the social and economic circumstances of women farmers in rural Maharashtra. Women in the rural areas work together and make collective decisions with the help of farmer-producer companies. For several decades, women’s contributions to the workforce have often gone unrecognised, leaving them with fewer resources and limited decision-making power in society. Through collective action in farmer-producer companies, rural women are empowered to access markets, obtain resources and participate in decision-making in their daily lives. The study employs a descriptive research design that combines quantitative and qualitative methods. The data were gathered from 210 women farmers across six farmer-producer companies. The results demonstrate that farmer-producer companies support women in gaining better market access, financial support, leadership skills, confidence and respect in society. However, there remain challenges related to low agricultural incomes and difficulty in managing household work and farm activities. The findings show that farmer-producer companies have benefited women to some extent and play a major role in empowering rural women.