Empowering women through socio-technical innovations

Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP) was founded in 1998 in Maharashtra, following a collaborative venture with the state government in the aftermath of the Latur earthquake reconstruction project, encompassing 1200 villages. Subsequently, the organisation made a strategic decision to concentrate on women’s empowerment as a catalyst for change in water-scarce and drought-prone regions spanning seven states in India. It has been working with women farmers' collectives in the Marathwada region of the state.

Marathwada faces severe water scarcity, posing challenges for cash crop cultivation and leading to economic, social, and ecological concerns, including crop failure and forced migration. In response to these challenges, SSP developed a 'Women-led Climate Resilient Farming' (WCRF) model in 2014 to reposition women as farmers, leaders, and change agents. The model aims to address gender disparities in access to resources by marginalised women farmers in distressed agrarian areas of Marathwada.

Research conducted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) indicates that women's participation in the production of major crops is 75%, in horticulture 79%, in post-harvest work 51%, and in animal husbandry and fisheries 95% (Press Information Bureau 2018). However, there is a major gap in research pertaining to the lived experiences of women in agriculture, particularly those confronting grassroot realities, with an emphasis on women farmers and labour from marginalised communities, made worse in agrarian distressed areas such as the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions in Maharashtra known for high rates of farmer suicides.

This study by SSP and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) aims to fill the research gap in the limited focus on the lived experiences of women farmers by examining the specific challenges faced, providing critical insights for targeted interventions.

The study explores how socio-technical innovation bundles (STIBs) integrated into SSP's WCRF model contribute to building the resilience and empowerment of women farmers in Dharashiv district in the region. By comprehending the dynamics and interaction of STIBS, it aims to contribute substantively to the discourse on empowering marginalised women farmers in the face of agrarian challenges and climate change impacts.

The research methodology for the study revolves around axiological, ontological, and epistemological considerations, a research design that employs a constructivist/interpretivist paradigm, aligning with an inductive approach, and a qualitative approach to capture nuanced aspects of the research question. The study used purposive critical case sampling, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and a thematic analysis for data analysis. The cross-sectional time horizon provided a snapshot of prevalent characteristics within the population.

In the WCRF model, women not only cultivate for family consumption but also produce goods for the market, autonomously taking their produce to market without interference from male family members (Tewary 2018). Through participatory training, women farmers progress from informal groups to producer groups, cultivating with water-efficient, chemical-free practices. The model's core components encompass soil management, water harvesting, mixed cropping, fruit tree plantation, vermicomposting, bio-fertilisers, and bio-pesticides. Also, livestock rearing, modern agricultural techniques, extension services, and market support are key components of the model.

Demonstration farms run by successful women farmers serve as learning platforms, and trained women become Krishi Samvad Sahayaks (KSS), playing pivotal roles in awareness campaigns and farmer selection. SSP identifies, trains, and develops skilled women as coaches, fostering collective empowerment. A WCRF offers micro-funding for agricultural innovation. The model links women to government schemes and enables the establishment of FPOs.

Underpinning the WCRF model are five key impact areas: food security with nutrition, water security, livelihood security, natural resource management, and women's empowerment. However, the model faces challenges such as resistance from decision-making family members, especially men, and socio-cultural barriers hindering women's land ownership. SSP strategically addresses these challenges by cultivating women's agency to navigate socio-cultural complexities.

To overcome the region's resistance to expensive technology, SSP adopts a mixed-crop, one-acre model, integrating traditional knowledge and emphasising water conservation techniques. SSP also collaborates with technology partners and facilitates access to agricultural technologies. The mixed crop technology has yielded significant outcomes.

Participants in this study reported a reduced risk of food scarcity and stable income during adverse climatic conditions such as droughts or unseasonal rains. The model ensures income stability by diversifying crops and mitigating the impact of crop failures. Organic crop cultivation has led to decreased health-related expenditures, and there is a diminished need for migration, as participants earn sufficient income from their farmlands. Despite potential yield variations, cost savings on fertilisers and pesticides compensate, resulting in increased overall income.

Resistance from men, accustomed to single sowing and harvesting cycles, is mitigated by technology adoption, including solar water pumps and other innovations. Training sessions facilitated by SSP have played a crucial role in disseminating knowledge about organic farming and the mixed crop model. Participants, acting as disseminators, extended this knowledge to other women in their villages. Training improved communication skills, enabling some to persuade family members to adopt mixed cropping. Training in small-scale businesses fostered skills in entrepreneurship, tailoring, dairy, poultry, and small grocery shop operations. SSP facilitated market linkages and product training, leading to a substantial increase in annual income and savings.

Manisha Savashe, a farmer from Selgadh, remarked, "A lot has changed since I started attending SSP meetings and trainings. This transformation is not limited to me; it extends to other women in the village as well. We were once confined to our homes, but now the scenario has shifted. Previously, there was no guidance on our basic rights. Today, we are confident that successful agriculture is sufficient for a prosperous livelihood."

Asha Gaikwad, a farmer from Bhatshirpura, initially constrained by her husband's suicide, has since taken control of her life. Numerous participants reported that they succeeded in convincing their family members to collaborate and share earnings. Women asserted their equal partnership in cultivation and income, gaining independence in managing their finances. However, some participants lamented that men in the family still dictate decisions regarding farmland and handling finances, even when women are allowed to cultivate. Challenges persist, with some men unwilling to recognise women as equal partners, questioning their agricultural knowledge and capacity.

Government schemes have provided participants with resources such as sprinklers, wells, support for onion storage, farm ponds, toilets, house units, and Ujjwala gas. Participants also emphasised the need for policy intervention at the government level to secure appropriate prices for their produce. Participants highlighted that men traditionally handle market transactions, even in families where women are the primary decision-makers regarding cultivation choices.

Resilience among participants is both a process and an outcome, signifying adept adaptation to challenging life experiences. The exposure to SSP's WCRF model, along with participation in a network of women, has substantially influenced their resilience. Participants detailed the coping strategies they have adopted, strengthening their ability to navigate and surmount social, agroecological, and economic challenges.

Diversifying income streams has fostered economic resilience, eliminating the need for women to engage in daily wage labour or seek loans from money lenders. The majority of participants expressed their ability to make independent decisions confidently and support other women in exercising their agency. Participants view empowerment as a personal struggle that requires individual initiative, with external support serving as a facilitating factor.

The lessons learned from SSP’s rehabilitation work in the aftermath of the Latur earthquake in 1993 played a pivotal role in shaping a comprehensive approach to the WCRF model, and actively contributing to the empowerment, resilience, and economic sustainability of women farmers in the Marathwada region.

It is imperative to sensitise men about gender equity in agriculture. Recognising women as equal partners in agricultural activities is essential for sustainable and inclusive agricultural development. By promoting a more equitable approach, not only can the agrarian crisis be tackled more comprehensively, but it also paves the way for empowering women in the farming community.

Citation: Jadhav, R., Mukhopadhyay, P., Chadha, D., Saikh, N., Goel, K., Patil, U., Gartaula, H.N., and Puskur, R. (2024). Socio-technical innovation bundles for enhancing women’s resilience and empowerment: A case study of Swayam Shikshan Prayog’s women-led climate resilient farming. New Delhi: CGIAR Initiative on Gender Equality, CGIAR Gender Impact Platform, and International Rice Research Institute.