This study examines how an integrated women’s empowerment model in the agricultural sector can foster psychological empowerment among rural women farmers in Tumkur District, Karnataka, India. Guided by Zimmerman’s (1995) psychological empowerment theory, with emphasis on the behavioral component, the research draws on ten semi structured group interviews with 64 participants and complementary field observations over two weeks.

Reflexive thematic analysis revealed substantial improvements in women’s outlook on life, self-perceptions, and everyday practices after four years of participation in BAIF’s Praerna project. Participants reported acquiring new agricultural and health-related competencies, gaining greater influence in household and community decision-making, and expanding their exposure through Self-Help Groups and the “Champion Women Farmers” initiative. At the same time, patriarchal norms, lack of control over household income, and resistance to high-risk innovations such as tractor driving remain significant obstacles.

The findings suggest that integrated empowerment programs can generate meaningful behavioral empowerment when combined with exposure, peer support, and context-specific training. By situating empowerment in a semi-exposed rural setting, this study contributes to bridging the gap between research on women’s empowerment in remote rural communities and research conducted in urban or Western contexts, offering practical insights for designing interventions that move beyond awareness toward sustainable behavioral change.