Digital divide and empowerment of farm women

Abstract

This paper delves into the intricate nexus between the digital divide and the empowerment of farm women in rural India, elucidating the often-overlooked contributions of these women to agriculture. Despite their pivotal role, entrenched patriarchal norms and limited access to resources hinder their economic agency. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization under-scores the potential 20–30% global farm yield increases with gender-equitable resource access. The Indian government's "Digital India" initiative aims to bridge this gap, yet its success pivots on empowering farm women digitally. The paper navigates the challenges posed by the digital divide—ranging from inadequate internet connectivity to high technological costs—identifying them as barriers to farm women's participation in the digital landscape. Strategies for empowerment, such as enhancing internet connectivity, providing digital literacy, and developing agricultural applications, are expounded. Drawing on studies from Nigeria and India, the impact of the digital divide on farm women's economic activities and decision-making is scrutinized. The abstract underscores the imperative of targeted collaborative efforts to surmount the digital gap, crucial for propelling sustainable and inclusive rural development and realizing gender equality in agriculture.