In feminist economics, the Feminization of Agriculture refers to the measurable increase of women's participation in the agricultural sector, particularly in the developing world.[1][2] The phenomenon started during the 1960s with increasing shares over time. In the 1990s, during liberalization, the phenomenon became more pronounced and negative effects appeared in the rural female population.[3] Afterwards, agricultural markets became gendered institutions, affecting men and women differently.
The term has also been applied to other phenomena, including increasing shares of women in the agricultural workforce, male outmigration from rural areas, decreasing women's opportunities in agricultural productivity, and lower rural pay due to skill exclusions.[4] Activists have argued that the trend is dangerous and leads to food insecurity.[5]