NEW DELHI: In order to support the Government of India’s ongoing significant efforts to empower women farmers, the World Food Programme (WFP) of the United Nations and the Embassy of Norway in India today kicked off a symposia on women’s challenges and contribution to India’s agrarian economy, especially from a climate resilience perspective.
During the inaugural event, the Women in Agriculture Value Chain was the topic of the keynote speech given by
“We are very excited by this collaboration with WFP in India on women in agriculture, building on the global partnership between Norway and WFP,” stated H.E. May-Elin Stener, the Norwegian ambassador to India. The Norwegian government has made a concerted effort to increase climate adaptation and readiness among the most vulnerable populations, particularly smallholder farmers—especially women farmers.
“These discussions come at a crucial time as the Government of India deliberates on a comprehensive development vision,” stated Ms. Elisabeth Faure, Representative and Country Director for WFP in India. India has demonstrated its commitment to empowering women farmers by implementing the National Rural Livelihoods Mission and other focused projects. We anticipate that the symposia’s suggestions will boost initiatives for women’s empowerment, gender parity, and the development of sustainable, food-secure communities.
The government has made a tremendous effort to reach out to women farmers through inclusive policies and schemes in order to fulfill its commitment to doubling farmers’ income by 2030, according to Mr. Y.R. Meena, Additional Commissioner (Mass Media), Department of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare. For instance, the Women Farmer Empowerment Programme, or Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP), incorporates incentives for natural farming from pre-production to post-production.
A number of specialists delivered talks and interventions focusing on the varied roles that women play in the agriculture value chain, ranging from different facets of crop cultivation to processing and marketing. They looked at the various problems and difficulties that come with women working in the agriculture value chain, as well as the latest efforts to increase their participation and the best practices or success stories from these kinds of interventions.
Among the speakers were rural women, Ms. Sejal Dand, Executive Director of ANANDI, member of MAKAAM, Dr. Ranjitha Puskur, Module Leader-Evidence, CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform, IRRI, Mr. Manish Bhatia, Director (Extension/Administration), National Gender Resource Center in Agriculture, DA&FW, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
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