Mumbai: The legislative assembly on Wednesday proposed the Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Bill, 2026, seeking to formally recognise women engaged in agriculture as farmers and provide them with official ‘woman farmer certificates,’ a move expected to improve their access to govt welfare schemes, institutional credit and other agriculture-related benefits.The bill acknowledges the growing role of women in agriculture and aims to address the longstanding issue of their lack of formal recognition despite substantial participation in farming activities. It also proposes creation of a women farmers’ database, a Maharashtra State Fund for Women Farmers, a women farmers empowerment cell, a women farmers empowerment council, and a state monitoring committee to support implementation.The bill adopts a broad definition of agriculture, covering crop cultivation, animal husbandry, dairy farming, fisheries, horticulture, floriculture, beekeeping, sericulture, agro-forestry and collection of minor forest produce. It recognises women farmers irrespective of land ownership and includes landless cultivators, lessee cultivators, farm labourers, livestock rearers, plantation workers, pastoralists and women engaged in seasonal agricultural work.Under the bill, any woman aged 18 years or above who is a resident of Maharashtra and engaged in agricultural activities will be eligible for recognition as a woman farmer. In rural areas, applications will be scrutinised by the gram sabha, while nagar oanchayats will perform the same role in urban local bodies. The designated officer will issue the certificate within 15 days of approval.The bill also provides for an appeal mechanism.
