NITI Aayog member bats for better access for rural women to markets

HYDERABAD

NITI member Aayog Ramesh Chand highlighted the need for better access to markets for rural women to sell their agricultural produce at a competitive price to ensure their economic empowerment.

Speaking at the opening session of the three-day 33rd Agricultural Economics Research Association (AERA) Annual Conference held at ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (ICAR-NARM) on Monday, she said women contribute more than 34% of the total workforce and their participation in agriculture-related activities has increased to 12% in recent years.

Stating that their contribution and productivity are higher compared to their colleagues (men) in agriculture-related activities, he said that their economic empowerment will play a major role in the overall economic growth of the country. He suggested gradual reduction of agricultural emissions to mitigate climate changes to some extent.

Elaborating on the broad scope of innovations in agriculture and food systems and agribusiness, ICRISAT Director General Himanshu Pathak said there are many challenges in tackling variants of climate change as well as improving the role of women in agriculture. Innovations in agriculture can be encouraged through enabling environment, collaborations and partnerships, as well as increasing investments.

He asked agricultural scientists to introduce climate-resistant varieties of different crops to reduce the impact on productivity and production to meet the growing demand for food crops.

AERA PK Chairman Joshi, secretary Anjani Kumar, NABARD AK Sood Deputy Director General, International Potato Center (CIP) former Asia Regional Director Samarendu Mohanty and NAARM Acting Director Gopal Lal and others spoke at the international session of the conference organized under the theme ‘Innovations in Agribusiness, Women Empowerment and Climate Resilient Agriculture’.

Later, technical sessions included Innovations in Agricultural Business: Strengthening New Enterprises and Promoting Agricultural Exports; Empowering Women in Agriculture: Closing Gender Gap and Improving Gender Equality; Climate Resilient Agriculture: Strategies to Adapt to a Changing Climate and Ensure Food Security. Agricultural economists, industrial personnel, scientists, young academics and students from all over the country attended.