Agri policy draft suggests micro lending progs for rural women

Bathinda: With the rise of mechanisation in agriculture sector, the new agricultural policy has recommended various measures to support rural womenfolk. From micro lending programmes, regulated functioning of local micro-finance companies to land property rights of women, the draft of the policy has recommended several measures to improve their condition.
There is also stress to provide support to the suicide-hit families, as in that case, onus is on women to run the household, even as over 8% women farmers too have ended lives by suicide in the past years. In the policy draft, it has been felt that women play a significant and crucial role in development of agriculture and allied fields, including primary crop production, livestock production, horticulture, post-harvest activities, agro-forestry and fisheries. Women in rural areas constitute around 47 per cent of the population.
However, social and other barriers limit the participation of women in the workforce, and even more so, in rural areas. The literacy rate of women in rural areas is 65.8% compared to 79.2% of their urban counterparts. As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2018-19, the female worker participation rate of Punjab is 17.3%, which is less than the national average of 23.3%.
The lack of employment in the agriculture sector has forced them to seek alternate job options away from their homes, which too are limited. This drags them into economic and financial insecurity, making them fall into the trap of local microfinance companies, who exploit them. Limited employment opportunities, job insecurity and ever rising rate of inflation adversely affects their mental and physical state, making them a vulnerable part of society. The major brunt of the prevailing agricultural crisis is borne by women of agrarian households. Suicides among women of such households are an indicator of deepening of agrarian crisis. According to a study by Punjab Agricultural University in 2020, 12.43% of women from labourer families and 8.2% from farm families are suicide victims. The families were found to be suffering from a dire sense of fear and social insecurity as well as severe psychological disturbances.
The policy has recommended that opportunities should be provided for women education as it strengthens economies and reduces inequality. “Women in suicide-hit families should be given special package of social security schemes. To overcome depression and mental stress, such women should be given free access to clinical psychologists, counsellors, and mental health practitioners by establishing special rehabilitation centres,” the policy proposes.