The incumbent government seems keen to boost agricultural productivity via adoption of the corporate farming model which may prove to be a windfall for a miniscule proportion of landowners who still own a vast amount of cultivable land, but it will do little for the majority of smallholders, or for those who are landless, and work either as sharecroppers, or as seasonal or daily waged labourers. Women also comprise a large proportion of this latter category of small or landless farmers.

The vital contribution of rural women remains largely unrecognised despite their significant contribution to the agrarian economy and to the national labour force. Despite their vital role in planting, weeding, harvesting and post-harvest activities, rural women continue being marginalised by their classification as contributing family workers.

Addressing the dearth of opportunities for women involved in agriculture needs urgent attention. Most rural women lack access to economic resources, agri-services and a range of........

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