Empowering women farmers for promoting resilient farming systems: sustainable pathways to better food systems in India

This study investigates outcomes at the farm holding level as relates to the promotion of food security, the empowerment of women and sustainable practices for agricultural production developed by women in the districts of Osmanabad and Tuljapur in Maharashtra. A total sample of 400 smallholder households was selected for the study. The production system under analysis is denominated as the “one acre model”, which empowers women farmers to take up sustainable food production systems. The results of the study show that the measures promoted under the one-acre model can be considered successful. Even under severe drought conditions, food security for the family and food sales were far superior to the control group.