Daijiworld Media Network - Pune
Pune, Sep 19: The Maharashtra government has given women farmers a separate identity, opening the way for them to access various schemes and agricultural loans on par with male farmers. As a further step towards their empowerment, the government has now launched an online portal exclusively for women farmers.
Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne inaugurated the ‘Mahila Shetkari Portal’ online from Bharanewadi. The initiative has been launched under the Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Act, 2026.
The portal aims to provide official recognition to women farmers in the state and ensure direct access to various government schemes. Through the initiative, women farmers will be able to avail themselves of agricultural loans, crop insurance, subsidies and modern agricultural equipment.
The portal will also facilitate the issuance of official women farmer certificates and help create an official database of women farmers in Maharashtra.
Women aged above 18 years will be eligible to apply and will receive a separate identity as women farmers. To qualify, an applicant must have experience of undertaking farming or allied agricultural activities in Maharashtra during at least one season of the year.
Women cultivating land owned by them, as well as those undertaking farming on contract or sharecropping arrangements, will be eligible. Women engaged in allied agricultural activities such as animal husbandry, dairy farming, horticulture and agro-processing will also be covered.
Women farmers can apply online through the official portal at mahakrishi.mahaitgov.in/mahila-shetkari-service.
Applicants will have to enter their Aadhaar number, name as mentioned on the Aadhaar card, mobile number, district, taluka and village details. They will then have to select the appropriate category of farming or allied agricultural activity.
After verifying all the details, the application can be submitted online.
Once submitted, the application will be placed before the Gram Sabha or Nagar Panchayat meeting for verification and approval. After verification, an official resolution will be passed.
Following approval by the Gram Sabha, the woman farmer will receive the official certificate within 15 days.