Maharashtra approves legislation to grant official status to women farmers
The Maharashtra Assembly has cleared the Women Farmers Empowerment Bill, a move aimed at officially recognizing women in agriculture and boosting their reach to government welfare programs and official identity cards. The new legislation also includes plans for a specific fund and targeted support for women farmers who are single. The bill provides a wide definition for a 'woman farmer,' which encompasses those involved in crop production as well as related sectors like animal husbandry.