Role of Women in Agriculture and Allied Sectors-Calling for a change in the Template of the Discourse

India is a developing country. Seventy percent of Indian population depends on agriculture to earn their livelihood. But the sector is underperforming due to various intrinsic issues connected to it. One key reason being women who critically contribute in agriculture are not being adequately addressed. Present trend shows that males are leaving the sector and the women have to shoulder the responsibility of various roles connected to it. So it is of utmost importance to mainstream their needs and requirements in a tailor made manner. In this era of modernisation we all are moving towards mechanisation. In the field of agriculture too, different efficient tools are being developed to reduce the time taken for completion of work. But less interest is being taken to develop women friendly tools. Women besides household works, do major agricultural activities as compared to her male counterpart. The activities rendered by women in different sectors of agriculture largely remains invisible. Also the actual participation of women in agriculture varies from region to region and within a region. We must not be blind to this fact. It is high time to document empirically the role that rural women play and the contribution that they make in agricultural production. Correct depiction and analyses will result in inclusive agriculture policies and programmes that will address their needs properly. Apart from this, urgent action is necessary to give priority to women's access to education, information, science and technology, and extension services which will also improve enable women's access, ownership and control of economic and natural resources.