{"id":49885,"date":"2025-06-10T12:52:54","date_gmt":"2025-06-10T07:22:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=49885"},"modified":"2025-06-12T13:12:08","modified_gmt":"2025-06-12T07:42:08","slug":"daily-editorial-analysis-10-june-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/daily-editorial-analysis-10-june-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Daily Editorial Analysis 10 June 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

Empowering Women in Agriculture for Food Security<\/span>
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n
    \n
  • In a landmark resolution supported by over 100 countries, the United Nations General Assembly has declared\u00a02026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer<\/strong>, placing global focus on the indispensable role of women in agriculture.<\/li>\n
  • While this recognition is a step forward,\u00a0it also draws attention to the deeply entrenched challenges women face in the agricultural sector.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • Therefore, it is\u00a0important to explore those challenges and the innovative responses being developed, particularly in India,<\/strong>\u00a0through the lens of recent collaborative projects and policy initiatives.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    The Centrality of Women in Agriculture<\/strong><\/h3>\n
      \n
    • Women are the\u00a0backbone<\/strong>\u00a0of food production globally.<\/li>\n
    • They contribute to\u00a060% to 80% of food production in developing countries<\/strong>\u00a0and constitute\u00a039% of the agricultural workforce in South Asia<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    • In India, a staggering\u00a080% of economically active women<\/strong>\u00a0are employed in agriculture. Yet, their contributions remain under-recognised and under-rewarded.<\/li>\n
    • One stark indicator of this disparity is\u00a0land ownership<\/strong>. Despite their large presence in agricultural work,\u00a0only 14% of landowners in India are women<\/strong>, and the\u00a0National Family Health Survey reports an even lower rate of 8.3%<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    • This\u00a0lack of land ownership not only restricts their access to institutional credit but also hampers investments in modern tools and technology<\/strong>, limiting their productivity and economic independence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Institutional Support and Policy Initiatives<\/strong><\/h3>\n
        \n
      • Recognising these barriers, the\u00a0Government of India<\/strong>\u00a0has initiated several programs aimed at supporting women in agriculture.<\/li>\n
      • The\u00a0Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana<\/strong>\u00a0focuses on skill development and enhancing access to resources, while the\u00a0Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation<\/strong>\u00a0provides significant subsidies on farm machinery.<\/li>\n
      • Additionally,\u00a030% of the National Food Security Mission\u2019s budget<\/strong>\u00a0is earmarked for women farmers across various States and Union Territories.<\/li>\n
      • These\u00a0initiatives aim to narrow the gender gap in agriculture<\/strong>\u00a0by promoting sustainable farming practices and facilitating women\u2019s access to credit, inputs, and technologies.<\/li>\n
      • However,\u00a0the impact of such programs depends on their reach, quality of implementation<\/strong>, and the creation of enabling ecosystems.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Climate Change and the Gendered Vulnerability<\/strong><\/h3>\n
          \n
        • Climate change is\u00a0compounding<\/strong>\u00a0existing gender disparities.<\/li>\n
        • Women, already burdened with domestic responsibilities, face heightened risks<\/strong>\u00a0due to erratic weather patterns and agricultural uncertainties.<\/li>\n
        • Projects like\u00a0ENACT (Enhancing Climate Adaptation of Vulnerable Communities)<\/strong>, implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP) and supported by the Government of Assam and the Norwegian government, are addressing these concerns.<\/li>\n
        • In the flood-prone regions of Assam, ENACT introduces\u00a0climate-resilient crop varieties<\/strong>\u00a0and promotes\u00a0livelihood diversification<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
        • By equipping over 300 women farmers<\/strong>\u00a0with weekly advisories on weather and agriculture through mobile phones,\u00a0the project exemplifies the use of<\/strong>\u00a0technology and information dissemination<\/strong>\u00a0to strengthen resilience.<\/li>\n
        • The\u00a0Climate Adaptation Information Centres<\/strong>\u00a0further this mission by enabling video conferencing and community meetings for knowledge exchange.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          The Way Forward<\/strong><\/h3>\n
            \n
          • Partnerships and Scalable Solutions<\/strong>\n
              \n
            • ENACT demonstrates the power of\u00a0multi-stakeholder collaboration<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
            • By engaging state departments,\u00a0meteorological institutions, agricultural universities, and rural livelihood missions<\/strong>,\u00a0it creates an integrated approach<\/strong>\u00a0to address the vulnerabilities of women farmers.<\/li>\n
            • This project also promotes\u00a0smart seed production systems<\/strong>, market linkages, and the cultivation of\u00a0nutrient-rich local varieties<\/strong>, enhancing both food security and sustainability.<\/li>\n
            • Such\u00a0interventions show that when women are empowered with knowledge, tools, and networks,<\/strong>\u00a0they can lead climate adaptation at the grassroots level.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
            • Need for Gender Equality in Agriculture<\/strong>\n
                \n
              • While initiatives like ENACT are promising,\u00a0much more is needed to realise gender equity in agriculture.<\/strong><\/li>\n
              • Policy frameworks must be\u00a0gender-sensitive<\/strong>, informed by\u00a0granular, sex-disaggregated data<\/strong>, and responsive to the diverse needs of women. This includes:<\/li>\n
              • Designing tools and technologies suited to women\u2019s use and scale of operation<\/li>\n
              • Expanding access to\u00a0credit, savings<\/strong>, and\u00a0insurance mechanisms<\/strong><\/li>\n
              • Supporting\u00a0women-led agri-value chains<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0self-help groups<\/strong><\/li>\n
              • Building\u00a0collective agency and leadership<\/strong>\u00a0among women farmers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n
                  \n
                • The declaration of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer presents a historic opportunity to\u00a0mainstream gender equality in agriculture<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                • Women farmers are not just food producers; they are agents of change, resilience<\/strong>, and sustainability.<\/li>\n
                • By recognising their contributions<\/strong>\u00a0and addressing systemic inequalities,\u00a0we can promote a more inclusive, secure, and prosperous future for all.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                  \n

                  The Census and the Remaking of a People<\/strong><\/h2>\n

                  Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n
                    \n
                  • The\u00a0transition from a population to a people is not merely a demographic process<\/strong>, but a deeply political transformation.<\/li>\n
                  • In India,\u00a0this transformation is mediated by tools such as the decadal census,<\/strong>\u00a0which, while appearing to be a technical exercise in enumeration, in reality plays a profound role in shaping political identities, resource allocation, and representational structures.<\/li>\n
                  • The\u00a0upcoming 2027 Census promises to be a watershed moment in this regard, comparable in its long-term consequences to the COVID-19 pandemic<\/strong>\u00a0that delayed the 2021 census, as it is poised to redraw the contours of Indian democracy through delimitation, caste enumeration, and political redistribution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    The Census: More Than a Count<\/strong><\/h3>\n
                      \n
                    • A\u00a0census is conventionally understood as a comprehensive enumeration\u00a0<\/strong>of the population, accounting for various demographic markers, including urban\/rural residence, caste and tribe status, literacy, fertility, economic activity, and migration.<\/li>\n
                    • However,\u00a0the census does more than passively record reality<\/strong>; it actively shapes it.<\/li>\n
                    • By categorising individuals into fixed groups,\u00a0the census institutionalises identities and priorities,\u00a0<\/strong>and in doing so, it helps constitute the political community, the people.<\/li>\n
                    • Thus,\u00a0the census is not a neutral exercise<\/strong>. As population trends shift, so too does the political landscape.<\/li>\n
                    • For instance,\u00a0increasing Hindi speakers in metropolitan cities or migration flows to southern India indicate changing demographic dynamics<\/strong>\u00a0with potent political implications.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      Political Demography and Parliamentary Representation<\/strong><\/h3>\n
                        \n
                      • At the heart of the 2027 Census lies\u00a0the question of parliamentary representation.<\/strong><\/li>\n
                      • Article 81 of the Constitution mandates<\/strong>\u00a0that\u00a0parliamentary seats be redistributed<\/strong>\u00a0after the first census following 2026.<\/li>\n
                      • Due to the delay of the 2021 census<\/strong>, this redistribution, or delimitation, could take place earlier than expected,\u00a0potentially in time for the 2029 general elections.<\/strong><\/li>\n
                      • With all data being captured digitally, the pace of this exercise is likely to be unprecedented.<\/li>\n
                      • This raises a crucial question:\u00a0What happens when population size becomes the sole criterion for representation?<\/strong><\/li>\n
                      • States with higher birth rates but slower economic growth, predominantly in northern and central India, stand to gain seats,<\/strong>\u00a0while southern and western States, which have invested in population control and economic development, could lose influence.<\/li>\n
                      • This\u00a0paradox threatens to penalise states that have pursued responsible demographic policies and rewarded those that have not<\/strong>, thereby igniting regional tensions. The Centre has acknowledged the need for discussions, but clarity remains elusive.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        Caste Enumeration, Social Politics and The Federal Compact and Revenue Sharing<\/strong><\/h3>\n
                          \n
                        • Caste Enumeration and Social Politics<\/strong>\n
                            \n
                          • One of the most transformative elements of Census 2027 is\u00a0the proposed comprehensive caste census, the first since 1931.<\/strong><\/li>\n
                          • The\u00a0counting of all castes, beyond Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), is expected to dramatically alter the political discourse.<\/strong><\/li>\n
                          • Caste identities,<\/strong>\u00a0long embedded in India’s social fabric,\u00a0are poised to become even more central to resource claims and political mobilisation.<\/strong><\/li>\n
                          • This\u00a0development is likely to rekindle debates over the 50% reservation ceiling,<\/strong>\u00a0a landmark constraint that many political groups seek to overturn.<\/li>\n
                          • Moreover,\u00a0this census aligns with the constitutional push for one-third reservation for women in legislative bodies,<\/strong>\u00a0further adding complexity to the social reorganisation of political power.<\/li>\n
                          • Combined with the possibility of simultaneous elections<\/strong>\u00a0to Parliament and State Assemblies,\u00a0these changes suggest a far-reaching restructuring of democratic representation<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                          • The Federal Compact and Revenue Sharing<\/strong>\n
                              \n
                            • Alongside these demographic and electoral transformations,\u00a0the Sixteenth Finance Commission, due to submit its recommendations by October 2025,<\/strong>\u00a0is expected to revisit the formula for revenue sharing between the Centre and the States.<\/li>\n
                            • Many States have expressed dissatisfaction with the criteria used by previous Commissions,\u00a0<\/strong>especially when these have appeared to favour population size over developmental performance.<\/li>\n
                            • As with parliamentary representation,\u00a0the question is whether population-heavy but economically weaker states should receive a disproportionately higher share<\/strong>\u00a0of national revenues.<\/li>\n
                            • The\u00a0overlapping timelines of the census, delimitation, and the Finance Commission\u2019s recommendations underscore a moment of pivotal renegotiation<\/strong>\u00a0in India\u2019s federal compact.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                              Political Strategies and National Identity<\/strong><\/h3>\n
                                \n
                              • These\u00a0demographic transitions are not occurring in a political vacuum.<\/strong><\/li>\n
                              • The\u00a0ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP),<\/strong>\u00a0with its centralising and majoritarian vision,\u00a0sees in these changes both a challenge and an opportunity.<\/strong><\/li>\n
                              • A\u00a0population-based delimitation could consolidate its power\u00a0<\/strong>in regions where it is strongest, primarily in the north and central belt.<\/li>\n
                              • At the same time,\u00a0by bringing gender and caste into the delimitation debate, the BJP may seek to transcend narrow regional rivalries<\/strong>\u00a0and construct a broader national coalition based on identity categories that cut across states.<\/li>\n
                              • The\u00a0Congress and Left parties, traditionally national in outlook but now weakened in the heartland, are also seeking to reclaim space<\/strong>\u00a0by aligning with demands for caste-based justice.<\/li>\n
                              • Yet,\u00a0whether they can compete with the BJP\u2019s organisational strength<\/strong>\u00a0and ideological clarity in navigating this demographic moment\u00a0remains uncertain.<\/strong><\/li>\n
                              • The\u00a0political use of census categories, from caste to language<\/strong>\u00a0to migration status, is\u00a0now central to all parties\u2019 electoral strategies.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n
                                  \n
                                • Census 2027 is more than a decadal statistical exercise<\/strong>; it is a political event of generational importance. It\u00a0will reconfigure how Indians are counted, represented, governed, and resourced<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                                • From delimitation to caste enumeration, from revenue sharing to identity formation,\u00a0this census sits at the intersection of administration and politics, demography and democracy.<\/strong><\/li>\n
                                • It will shape not only the size and shape of constituencies but also the meaning of citizenship<\/strong>\u00a0and the nature of national identity in 21st-century India.<\/li>\n
                                • As the nation prepares for this defining moment,\u00a0it must confront the tensions inherent in balancing demographic realities, federal equity, and democratic fairness<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                  Daily Editorial Analysis 10 June 2025<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":50653,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[138],"tags":[141,806],"class_list":{"0":"post-49885","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-daily-editorial-analysis","8":"tag-daily-editorial-analysis","9":"tag-editorial-analysis","10":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49885","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49885"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49885\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50653"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49885"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49885"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49885"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}