Mumbai, July 2 -- Maharashtra on Thursday introduced the Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Bill, 2026, in the Legislative Assembly, seeking to accord legal recognition to women engaged in agriculture irrespective of land ownership.
Tabled by Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane on the occasion of Krishi Din (Agriculture Day), the Bill seeks to extend institutional support and government benefits to women working in agriculture who are often excluded because agricultural land is registered in the names of male family members.
According to the government, Maharashtra will become the first state to enact a dedicated law recognising women as independent farmers if the legislation is passed.
The proposed law broadens the definition of a...