Walk through any village in Maharashtra during sowing or harvest, and most of the people working in the fields are women. Yet, for most government schemes, a woman was not counted as a “farmer” unless the land was in her name. So she could not get crop loans, insurance or subsidies in her own right.
In 2026, Maharashtra changed this with a new law: the Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Act, 2026. Many people now search for a “Mahila Shetkari Yojana”. There is no single scheme with exactly that name, but this Act and its Woman Farmer Certificate are the biggest new step for mahila shetkari in the state. This guide explains what the Act gives, how the certificate will work, and which other schemes women farmers can use today.
Written by: Prabhash, content creator and web developer, sahiyojana.com
Last updated: 4 November 2026
Checked against: The Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Act, 2026 (as published by PRS India) and reports from July 2026 (Drishti IAS, The Tribune and others), plus official information on central schemes for women farmers
Mahila Shetkari (Women Farmers) in Maharashtra at a Glance
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| New law | Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Act, 2026 |
| First state? | Yes, reported as the first state law of its kind (July 2026) |
| Who is a woman farmer | A woman working in farming or allied work, with or without land in her name |
| Key document | Woman Farmer Certificate (WFC) |
| Issued through | Gram Sabha (villages) or Nagar Panchayat (towns) |
| Other features | Digital registry of women farmers, a special fund, a state cell and district officers |
| Direct cash under the Act | None announced |
| Main benefit | Easier access to schemes, credit, insurance, training and markets |
| Official source | Click Here |
Who Counts as a “Woman Farmer” Under the Act?
The Act recognises a woman who works in agriculture or allied activities, such as:
- Crop farming
- Animal husbandry (cows, buffaloes, goats)
- Poultry
- Fisheries
- Agro-forestry
- Vermicompost and mushroom farming
- Primary processing of farm produce
Land ownership is not required. A woman who works on her family’s land, on leased land, or as a farm labourer can be recognised.
What Is the Woman Farmer Certificate (WFC)?
The Woman Farmer Certificate is official proof that a woman is a farmer. The Act says women will apply for it through the Gram Sabha or Nagar Panchayat.
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What it can help with (as described in the Act and reports):
- Access to government farm schemes without land in her own name
- Credit (loans) and crop insurance
- Training and extension services
- Better access to markets
Be careful: As of now, the Act does not give any direct cash amount. If someone asks for money to “register you for Mahila Shetkari Yojana ₹… per month”, it is a fraud. The detailed rules, forms and application dates for the certificate will come from the state government. Check with your Gram Panchayat or taluka agriculture office.
Why This Matters: A Simple Example
| Situation | Before the Act | After the Act (once rules are notified) |
|---|---|---|
| Sunita farms her husband’s land every day | Not counted as a farmer for most schemes | Can get a Woman Farmer Certificate |
| Lata is a farm labourer with no land | Left out of farmer schemes | Recognised as a woman farmer |
| Meena wants training in mushroom farming | Had to apply through a male family member | Can apply in her own name with the WFC |
Schemes Women Farmers Can Use Today
While the Act’s rules are being set up, these schemes are already available. Many give priority or a special share to women.
| Scheme | What it gives | Who can apply |
|---|---|---|
| PM Kisan Samman Nidhi | ₹6,000 a year | Women with farm land in their name |
| Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi (Maharashtra) | ₹6,000 a year | PM Kisan beneficiaries in Maharashtra |
| Magel Tyala Saur Krushi Pump Yojana | Solar pump for 10% (5% SC/ST) | Farmers with land and a water source, including women |
| Lakhpati Didi (DAY-NRLM) | Support for women in self-help groups to earn ₹1 lakh+ a year | SHG women |
| Krishi Sakhi | Training women as para-extension workers in farming | SHG women, through NRLM |
| Namo Drone Didi | Drones for women SHGs to provide spraying services | Selected women SHGs |
| PM Fasal Bima Yojana | Crop insurance | Farmers growing notified crops |
Tip: If land is jointly owned, ask your Talathi about adding the woman’s name to the 7/12 extract. A woman with land in her name can directly apply for PM Kisan, Namo Shetkari and many subsidies.
Steps a Woman Farmer Can Take Now
- Join or stay active in a self-help group (SHG) under Umed (MSRLM). Many women-focused schemes work through SHGs.
- If you own land jointly, get your name on the 7/12 extract.
- Keep your Aadhaar, bank account and mobile number updated.
- Ask your Gram Sevak / Gram Panchayat about the Woman Farmer Certificate process once the rules are notified.
- Register for the Farmer ID (Agristack), which many farm schemes now use.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Mahila Shetkari Yojana?
There is no single scheme with exactly that name. In Maharashtra, the biggest new step for women farmers is the Women Farmers Empowerment Act, 2026, which gives a Woman Farmer Certificate.
What is the Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Act, 2026?
It is a state law that legally recognises women working in farming and allied activities as farmers, even without land in their name.
What is the Woman Farmer Certificate?
It is official proof that a woman is a farmer. It will be issued through the Gram Sabha or Nagar Panchayat.
Do women farmers get money every month under this Act?
No direct cash benefit has been announced. The Act helps women access schemes, loans, insurance and training.
Can a woman without land become a recognised farmer?
Yes. The Act does not require land ownership.
How do I apply for the Woman Farmer Certificate?
The state will notify the detailed process. Ask your Gram Panchayat or taluka agriculture office.
Which schemes can women farmers apply for now?
PM Kisan and Namo Shetkari (if land is in their name), Magel Tyala solar pumps, PM Fasal Bima, and SHG-based schemes like Lakhpati Didi, Krishi Sakhi and Namo Drone Didi.
Is Maharashtra the first state with such a law?
Yes, as reported in July 2026, Maharashtra is the first state to enact a law recognising women farmers in this way.
Will this help women get crop loans?
The Act aims to improve women’s access to credit. Banks’ exact rules will depend on the government’s notifications.
Is there any fee for the Woman Farmer Certificate?
No fee has been announced. Do not pay anyone who promises “registration” for money.
Sources
- Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Act, 2026 (Act 46 of 2026), published on PRS India
- Drishti IAS (17 July 2026): key provisions (definition, Woman Farmer Certificate, registry, fund, committees)
- The Tribune and other reports: Maharashtra is the first state with such a law
- Official information on PM Kisan, Lakhpati Didi, Krishi Sakhi and Namo Drone Didi
Disclaimer
sahiyojana.com is not a government website and is not linked with the Government of Maharashtra. The certificate process will be notified by the state, so please confirm the latest details with your Gram Panchayat or agriculture office. sahiyojana.com is completely free and never asks for any money.
Important Links
These important links are collected for you by sahiyojana.com. Click on any link to open the page.
| What You Need | Link |
|---|---|
| Women Farmers Empowerment Act, 2026 (Official text) | Click Here |
| Official Site (Maharashtra Agriculture Department) | Click Here |
| PM Kisan Portal | Click Here |
| Namo Shetkari Yojana Guide | Click Here |
| Other Yojana Info | Click Here |
| Home Page | Click Here |
