Women in agriculture are leading a transformation in India’s rural economy and significantly a new economic reality is that 9 Out of 10 shareholders in women-led FPOs are women. No doubt this Women’s Day, the rapid growth of women-led FPOs underscores a fundamental shift in Indian agriculture. As more women step into leadership roles, they are redefining rural economic growth and shaping the future of agribusiness.
Women’s participation in these FPOs is significant. Nine out of ten shareholders in these organizations are women, demonstrating a shift towards inclusive and equitable business models. Nearly 44% of these FPOs are based in Maharashtra, followed by Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand, with an increasing presence in Karnataka, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
Women’s contributions to agriculture extend far beyond farming. They lead agritech, finance, supply chain management, and rural entrepreneurship. Women professionals play crucial roles in agricultural innovation, from developing digital finance solutions to managing large-scale agri-business operations. Their expertise in human resources, technology, and policy-making is shaping a more inclusive and resilient agricultural sector.
In fact the business models of these organisations are evolving. Over 70% of women-led FPOs focus on consulting, market services, and advisory roles, while the rest are engaged in direct farm production. This diversification highlights how women are influencing key agricultural decisions beyond cultivation.
“Women farmers are no longer just contributors to agriculture. They are financial decision-makers, business strategists, and key players in supply chains,” observes Prasanna Rao, CEO of Arya.ag. He adds, “By providing access to finance, storage, and reliable market connections, we are supporting the rise of women-led agribusiness.”
The impact goes beyond financial gains. Many of these women-led FPOs have helped smallholder farmers increase their incomes by improving price realization and reducing post-harvest losses. Reshma Kumari from Dehayat FPO in Bihar shared her experience, “Our FPO had become inactive, but with the support of Arya.ag, we have transformed into a self-sustaining model. Farmer incomes have increased four times, and we now have access to better markets”.
Sunita Waghmare, Chairperson of Navi Umed FPC Ltd, shares the inspiring journey of their Farmer Producer Company, which began with 3,500 women and has now reached a turnover of 6.5 crores. She discusses how they started with trading in turmeric and soybean, despite having little experience in the market. With greater control over their agricultural enterprises, women are improving price realization, reducing risks, and strengthening supply chains. The rise of these FPOs is not just about numbers but about real impact ensuring that rural women gain economic stability and long-term sustainability.
According to Anuradha C, Arya.ag is India’s largest and only profitable grain commerce platform which enables freedom of choice for farmers and their organizations to decide ‘when’ and ‘to whom’ they would want to sell their produce post-harvest by offering access to farmgate-level storage, seamless finance and transparent commerce. It aggregates and stores USD 3 billion of grain annually while enabling the disbursement of over USD 1.5 billion of loans to small-holder farmers, their organisations and other stakeholders.
