Spatial Patterns of Women's Land Ownership and Agricultural Participation across Indian States: A Geographic Analysis

Abstract

Women constitute nearly 42% of India's agricultural workforce; yet own less than 13% of agricultural land. This paradox of high labour participation paired with minimal land ownership rights represents a critical geographic and socioeconomic disparity that demands systematic spatial investigation. This paper examines the spatial patterns of women's land ownership and agricultural participation across Indian states using data from the Agricultural Census (2010-11 and 2015-16), Census of India 2011, and NSSO/PLFS surveys. Employing GIS-based choropleth mapping and spatial autocorrelation techniques, the study identifies distinct regional clusters with southern and northeastern states exhibiting comparatively higher female land ownership, while northern and central Indian states lag significantly. The analysis further explores correlations between women's land ownership and indicators such as female literacy, sex ratio, and rural income levels. The findings reveal deeply entrenched patriarchal land inheritance systems, compounded by legal ambiguities in the implementation of the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005. The paper concludes with state-specific policy recommendations aimed at bridging this persistent spatial inequality.