When traveling through rural India, the landscape, geography, people going about their daily lives, and people working in the field are all common sights. The majority of those working in the field are women; engaged in a wide range of labor-intensive tasks, including weeding, hoeing, grass cutting, cotton stick collection, separating seeds from fiber, livestock keeping, and the associated activities of milking, milk processing, and preparing ghee, among others

The above demonstrates the role a woman plays in a society where agrarian business adds to about 17 percent in the country’s economy, also known as agro-economics. And the workforce engaged is about 54.6 percent (Census 2011), of which women has a huge participation to about 41.8 percent.

However, a number of obstacles prevent women in the agricultural sector from improving their livelihoods and providing for their families. As many as 84% of women in rural India are dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. Did you know that almost the same percentage of women perform agricultural labor on average in low- and middle-income nations? Small-scale farms produce nearly 80% of the world's food. Women farmers face the same difficulties as all small-scale farmers, but they are also being held back because they are women. To begin, they are less able to obtain loans, machinery, and land than men are. They also have to deal with the well-known "double burden" of unpaid work in childcare or at home. Women farmers are playing a key role in the expansion of small-scale agriculture, which is two to four times more effective than any other sector at reducing hunger and poverty.

This is something that Svatantra Microfin (Svatantra) is aware of; 30% of the company's customers are involved in agricultural businesses, and the company provides them with financial services to help them expand their business. Svatantra is playing a significant role in making rural women in India financially independent by providing them with access to microfinancing products and other financial offerings. As their customers, rural women can use these resources to invest in agricultural practices and other income-generating activities, helping them become financially independent. Svatantra Microfin's approach is not limited to providing loans, but also involves building relationships with its customers, providing them with financial literacy and entrepreneurship training, and supporting them to establish and grow their businesses.

The Indian government has launched various policies and programs to support women's participation in agriculture, such as the Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana, which aims to empower women farmers. However, the effectiveness of these policies and programs remains a matter of debate. Microfinance institutions like Svatantra have been crucial in providing financial support and training to women entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector, leading to the propagation of agricultural entrepreneurship among women.

However, collective efforts must be strengthened, and microfinance institutions like Svatantra and government policies and programs can support women's participation in agriculture. We can improve women's and their families' quality of life, increase agricultural productivity, and create jobs by giving women entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector more power.

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