Presentation short abstract

This study explores how women farmers in India and Nepal learn and share knowledge through farmer-led group activities, highlighting underexplored learning experiences, gendered barriers, and the role of social learning in enhancing women’s agency and promoting inclusive, sustainable agriculture.

Presentation long abstract

This research examines how women farmers in India and Nepal learn, share knowledge, and build agricultural skills, with a particular focus on the gendered dynamics that shape these processes. Women play an essential role in agriculture across the region, yet their contributions often remain undervalued, and their voices overlooked in discussions on innovation, scaling, and sustainability. Understanding how women learn from each other, from farmer collectives, and through wider community networks is therefore crucial for improving their access to resources and fostering more equitable agricultural development.

Existing scholarship recognises that social networks, collective action, and peer learning can significantly enhance women’s agency and decision-making power. However, there is a clear lack of empirical research centred specifically on women farmers in the Eastern Gangetic Plains (India, Nepal, and Bangladesh). There remains a gap in current literature understanding the gendered constraints women farmers face, particularly their limited visibility in agricultural spaces, restricted access to training and extension services, and the lack of inclusive institutional support. While existing studies acknowledge the value of farmer groups for knowledge exchange, few examine how these interactions specifically influence women’s livelihoods, adaptive strategies, and resilience to economic and environmental stressors. This study addresses these gaps by synthesising available evidence through a distinctly gendered lens and by foregrounding women’s unique learning experiences within farmer collectives and community settings. By highlighting the significance of social learning and participation, the research aims to inform more responsive interventions and policies that strengthen women’s roles in agriculture and promote sustainable, inclusive development.