Maharashtra Cabinet Approves Bill to Recognise Women Farmers, Expand Welfare Benefits

By Mahima Katal

Mumbai, June 26: The Maharashtra Cabinet has approved a draft legislation aimed at legally recognising women farmers irrespective of land ownership, a move intended to improve their access to government welfare schemes, subsidies, institutional credit and agricultural support services.

The proposed Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Bill, 2026, cleared by the Cabinet on Thursday, will be introduced during the ongoing monsoon session of the state legislature.

A key feature of the draft law is the introduction of a Women Farmer Certificate, which will provide official recognition to women engaged in agriculture and allied sectors, including dairy, fisheries, poultry, animal husbandry, sericulture, apiculture and the collection of minor forest produce, even if they do not own agricultural land.

According to government sources, the legislation seeks to address the long-standing exclusion of women working in agriculture, particularly landless cultivators and those involved in allied farming activities, from formal welfare mechanisms.

The bill broadens the definition of both "farmer" and "agriculture" to include tenant farmers, sharecroppers, agricultural labourers and seasonal migrant workers engaged in farming and allied sectors.

Under the proposed framework, eligible women will receive a Women Farmer Certificate that will serve as an official identity document, enabling them to access government welfare schemes, subsidies, institutional finance, agricultural extension services and market support.

Applications for the certificate will be processed through gram sabhas in rural areas and urban local bodies in cities. The bill also provides an appeal mechanism for applicants whose requests are rejected.

To strengthen implementation, the legislation proposes the creation of a Maharashtra State Women Farmers' Fund and a digital database of women farmers integrated with existing government databases.

The government also plans to appoint Women Farmer Support Officers at the district and taluka levels from among existing officials. These officers will assist beneficiaries in obtaining certificates, accessing welfare schemes and adopting improved agricultural practices.

The proposed law envisages a three-tier institutional framework comprising a Governing Council, a State-Level Monitoring Committee and a Women Farmers' Empowerment Cell to oversee policy implementation and monitor its effectiveness.

The draft bill was finalised after consultations with agricultural experts, legal professionals and stakeholders held in Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Nagpur earlier this month.