Challenges and opportunities for women in India’s Livestock Sector

Introduction

Livestock rearing is a critical component of the agrarian economy in India, contributing about 4.8% to the national GDP and over 25% to the agricultural GDP (DAHD, 2022) [2] . Women constitute more than 70% of the labor force in livestock production, particularly in activities such as milking, feeding, fodder collection, and caring for sick animals (FAO, 2018) [4] . Despite their substantial contributions, women face numerous challenges including limited access to land, credit, veterinary services, decisionmaking power, and training opportunities. Cultural norms and gender biases further hinder their recognition and remuneration in the sector. However, growing policy focus on gender-inclusive agriculture, formation of women-led cooperatives, and the rise of self-help groups (SHGs) have created new opportunities. Technological innovations, digital platforms, and targeted capacity building also hold promise for improving women's agency and income. Addressing structural inequalities and ensuring women's full participation in livestock value chains are vital for enhancing both rural livelihoods and gender equity in India's agricultural landscape. This review aims to comprehensively explore the constraints and enablers for women in the Indian livestock sector, focusing on economic, social, and institutional dimensions. It highlights evidence-based insights and suggests policy interventions to bridge gender gaps.

Role of Women in Livestock Sector

Women play a critical and multifaceted role in India's livestock sector, serving as primary caretakers of animals and contributing significantly to household income and food security. They are extensively involved in animal care and feeding, dairy management and milking, fodder collection and feed preparation, manure management and processing and marketing of livestock products (Rathod et al., 2011; Kathiriya et al., 2013, Kaur, 2015) [18,9,10] . In poultry, dairy, and small ruminant farming, women often manage the dayto-day operations, especially in smallholder and backyard systems (Sahu et al., 2024) [20] . These activities are often performed in addition to their domestic responsibilities, contributing to household nutrition, food security, and income generation (Patel et al., 2017) [17] . Livestock offers one of the few income-generating opportunities accessible to women in rural India. For landless and marginal farm families, livestock (especially dairy, goats, poultry) acts as an "asset bank" that can be liquidated in times of distress, thus playing a critical role in livelihood security. Despite their contributions, their work is often undervalued and unpaid, with limited control over income or resources. However, their role is essential for the sustainability and productivity of livestock systems. Women also play a key role in maintaining traditional knowledge of animal health and nutrition. With proper access to training, technology, finance, and markets, women can become powerful agents www.extensionjournal.com of change in the livestock sector (Yadav et al., 2007; Panda et al., 2021) [22,16] . Empowering women through capacity building and institutional support can enhance productivity, improve rural livelihoods, and contribute to broader goals of gender equity and rural development.

Challenges Faced by Women in the Livestock Sector

Despite their vital role, women livestock keepers face numerous challenges, grouped under socio-cultural, economic, institutional, and technical domains.

I. Socio-cultural Constraints

• Women in India's livestock sector face significant socio-cultural constraints that limit their full participation and recognition. Traditional gender norms often confine them to unpaid, labor-intensive tasks like feeding, cleaning, and milking, while decision-making and market roles are dominated by men. Even when women manage livestock, men often control income and asset ownership (Agarwal, 2010) [1] . [9] .

II. Lack of Access to Resources

• Only about 13% of women own land, limiting their access to credit, inputs, and subsidies tied to land titles (NABARD, 2020) [12] . Lack of land ownership by women limits their access to credit, government schemes, and productive assets, restricting their ability to invest in livestock. It undermines their decisionmaking power, reduces economic security, and excludes them from formal institutions, thereby hindering their active and independent participation in livestock development and income generation (Saini and Saini, 2021) [21] . • Women face difficulties accessing formal finance due to lack of collateral and credit history. Lack of access to credit and finance prevents women from purchasing quality livestock, feed, veterinary care, and infrastructure (Panda et al., 2020) [15] . It limits their ability to scale operations, adopt new technologies, or cope with losses, thereby constraining productivity, profitability, and their overall empowerment within the livestock sector. [3,15] .

IV. Lack of Recognition and Data

• Women's underrepresentation in cooperatives and producer groups limits their access to collective resources, decision-making, and market opportunities in the livestock sector. These platforms often serve as gateways to credit, training, bulk input procurement, and profitable markets, yet cultural norms and gender biases frequently exclude women from membership or leadership roles. As a result, women remain isolated, with reduced bargaining power and limited influence over value chain activities. This hinders the sector's inclusive growth and productivity. Promoting women's active participation in these groups can enhance equity, improve efficiency, and unlock the full potential of women's contributions to livestock-based livelihoods (Rewani and Tochhawng, 2014) [19] .

Opportunities for Women in the Livestock Sector

Despite challenges, there are numerous opportunities to enhance women's agency, income, and participation in the livestock sector.

I. Women-led Dairy Cooperatives and Producer Companies

• Women-led dairy cooperatives and producer companies have emerged as transformative models in India's livestock sector, empowering rural women economically and socially. These platforms enable women to collectively own and manage dairy enterprises, ensuring better access to markets, fair pricing, credit, veterinary services, and training. By enhancing decision-making power and income control, such initiatives improve household nutrition, education, and livelihoods. They also foster leadership, selfconfidence, and community solidarity among women.

• Successful examples like the AMUL women's dairy www.extensionjournal.com cooperatives and producer groups in states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Bihar highlight their potential in achieving inclusive growth and gender-equitable development in rural India. Mahila Dairy Cooperatives in Gujarat and Karnataka have improved women's access to markets, credit, and leadership roles (NDDB, 2021) [13] .

II. Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Livestock Clusters

• Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and livestock clusters have significantly strengthened women's participation and income generation in the livestock sector. By pooling resources and building social capital, SHGs enable women to access microcredit, training, inputs, and markets (Jadoun et al., 2021) [7] . Livestock clusters promote collective production, value addition, and marketing of dairy, poultry, or small ruminant products.

III. Technology and Innovation

• Technology and innovation are playing a transformative role in modernizing India's livestock sector. Mobilebased advisory services (like mKisan, Kisan Suvidha) are helping women access veterinary care and market information. Digital platforms are also enabling ecommerce of livestock products like milk, ghee, and eggs, empowering women to sell directly. Innovations in feed technology, such as Total Mixed Ration (TMR) and bypass protein, improve animal nutrition and productivity. Genetic improvement programs through artificial insemination and embryo transfer enhance breed quality. Cold chain infrastructure and mechanized milking systems ensure hygienic milk production and storage. Women farmers, in particular, benefit from user-friendly tools and doorstep advisory services. These technologies improve productivity, reduce drudgery, and enhance incomes, contributing to food security and sustainable livelihoods.

IV. Climate-Resilient Livestock Practices

• Climate-resilient livestock practices are essential for sustaining productivity amid rising climate variability in India. These practices include improved shelter designs, heat-tolerant breeds, water-efficient feeding, silvi-pasture, and early warning systems for disease outbreaks. Adaptation strategies like integrated croplivestock systems, drought-resistant fodder cultivation, and improved manure management enhance resource use efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate-smart practices not only protect animal health and productivity during heat waves, floods, or droughts but also help maintain household income and food security (Grossi et al., 2019) [5] . Women farmers, who often manage livestock, benefit from reduced workload and more stable production cycles. • Initiatives like the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and programs by ICAR and NDDB are promoting these adaptive approaches at the grassroots level. Climate-smart livestock farming (e.g., heat-tolerant breeds, integrated fodder systems) offers sustainable avenues where women can be active players (ICAR, 2022) [6] .

Policy and Institutional Support I. Government Schemes Promoting Gender Inclusion

The Government of India has launched several schemes to enhance gender inclusion in the livestock sector, recognizing women's critical role in animal husbandry.

Conclusion

The livestock sector presents a powerful vehicle for women's empowerment, income diversification, and food security in rural India. However, deep-rooted gender biases, structural barriers, and institutional gaps limit their full participation. Challenges such as lack of land ownership, limited access to credit, training, veterinary services, and exclusion from cooperatives hinder their full participation. However, evolving government schemes, gender-responsive policies, and technological innovations are creating new opportunities for empowerment. A transformative approach involving gender-responsive policy, inclusive institutions, technology, and market integration is essential to harness the untapped potential of women in livestock. Bridging the gender gap in livestock will not only empower women but also enhance productivity, sustainability, and resilience of India's agricultural economy.

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