Droupadi Murmu has stressed the need to encourage leadership among women engaged in agriculture, particularly in agri-food systems, highlighting their vital role in shaping the future of sustainable and inclusive farming. She made these remarks while inaugurating the Global Conference on the Role of Women in Agri-Food Systems 2026 in New Delhi on Thursday.
Addressing the gathering, the President underscored that India has adopted a strategy of women-led development, placing women at the centre of economic and social progress. She noted that women constitute a significant portion of the agricultural workforce and must be empowered to take on leadership roles in policy-making, decision-making, and governance within the agricultural sector.
President Murmu emphasised that increasing women’s participation at all levels—from farm management to institutional leadership—would help promote gender-inclusive agricultural growth. According to her, empowering women in agri-food systems not only strengthens rural economies but also contributes to sustainable development and food security.
The President also expressed confidence that the participants attending the global conference would identify new pathways to drive progress and elevate women’s participation in agriculture worldwide. She said the discussions and collaborations at the event could lead to innovative strategies that address the challenges faced by women farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs.
Highlighting the broader global development agenda, Murmu pointed out that there is growing international consensus on the need to give equal importance to people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership in development strategies. She urged policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders present at the conference to ensure that the gender dimension of people receives special priority in both thinking and action.
“Effective gender inclusion in every sphere of activity, including agriculture, can make the planet a much more sensitive and harmonious place,” she said, calling for collective efforts to create equitable opportunities for women across agricultural value chains.
The three-day international conference aims to bring together policymakers, researchers, development practitioners, and farmers to discuss ways to strengthen women’s roles in agri-food systems. The event features a series of in-depth technical sessions that focus on key issues such as agricultural innovation, climate resilience, sustainable farming practices, and inclusive rural development.
In addition to the technical discussions, the conference will host several dedicated forums designed to amplify diverse voices within the sector. A Women Farmers’ Forum will focus on addressing grassroots challenges faced by women farmers, including access to credit, technology, land ownership, and market opportunities. The event will also feature a Youth Forum, aimed at engaging the next generation of agri-food leaders and encouraging young innovators to contribute to the transformation of agriculture.
The conference is expected to foster international collaboration and policy dialogue, reinforcing the importance of empowering women as key drivers of agricultural sustainability and global food security.
Leave Your Comment