President Murmu calls for greater role of women in policy formation in agriculture sector

Saikat Mondal

4 hours ago

New Delhi, March 14: Droupadi Murmu on Saturday emphasized the need to promote leadership among women engaged in agriculture, particularly within agri-food systems, while inaugurating the Global Conference on the Role of Women in Agri-Food System 2026 in New Delhi.

Addressing delegates from across the world, the President said that India has adopted a strategy of women-led development, highlighting the vital role women play in strengthening the agricultural sector. She stressed that women farmers and workers must be given greater opportunities in policy formulation, decision-making processes, and leadership roles within agricultural institutions and organizations.

Murmu noted that increased participation of women at every level of the agri-food system would help foster gender-inclusive agricultural growth. According to her, empowering women in agriculture not only improves productivity and innovation but also strengthens rural economies and food security.

Expressing confidence in the outcomes of the global conference, the President said the gathering would help identify pathways to drive progress and unlock new opportunities for women in agriculture. She added that there is growing global consensus on giving equal importance to people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership in sustainable development efforts.

Murmu urged all stakeholders—including policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders—to prioritize gender considerations in planning and action. She said meaningful gender inclusion across sectors, including agriculture, would contribute to building a more compassionate and balanced world.

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Speaking at the event, Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said women are key contributors to India’s agricultural progress. He announced that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research will soon launch a dedicated gender platform to accelerate women-centric research and strengthen their role across the country’s agricultural research network.