Maharashtra to table ‘Women Farmers Empowerment Bill’ during upcoming Monsoon Session

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Friday, June 12, 2026, that the state government will introduce the Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Bill, 2026, during the Monsoon Session of the Legislative Assembly starting from June 22, which aims to provide independent legal recognition to women farmers and improve their access to welfare schemes and institutional support.

Mr. Fadnavis reviewed the preliminary presentation of the draft bill at a meeting attended by Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar, Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane and Minister of State for Agriculture Ashish Jaiswal at his official residence on Friday.

“Women account for over 81% of participation in Maharashtra’s agricultural sector. However, most agricultural policies and government programs remain male-centric. Since land ownership is often a prerequisite for availing benefits under agricultural schemes, a large number of women farmers are excluded from these benefits. Women cultivating family or community-owned land, as well as those engaged in allied activities such as fishing, animal husbandry, poultry farming and harvesting of forest produce, are generally not recognized as farmers. The proposed legislation has been drafted in this context,” he said.

digital system

The Chief Minister instructed the officials to carry out a detailed study to develop an effective digital system through which women farmers can access State government credit schemes, agricultural subsidies, seeds, fertilisers, crop insurance, extension services, market facilities, transport, storage infrastructure and social security schemes.