The panel discussions delved into the challenges women face in the agri-food sector, focusing on skill gaps and the potential for collaboration between education and industry to address these issues.
Godrej Agrovet Limited (GAVL) organised the inaugural ‘Women in Agriculture’ summit on Tuesday, March 5, at Godrej One in Mumbai. The primary objective of the summit was to celebrate and acknowledge the invaluable contributions of women in the agriculture sector.
Contrary to common misconceptions that agriculture is predominantly a male-dominated field, data from our country reveals a different reality. In India, a staggering 86.1 million women, constituting 60 per cent of all female workers, are engaged in agriculture. In rural India, this figure rises to 84 per cent, emphasising the significant role women play in this sector. However, the disparity persists in agri-businesses, where men continue to outnumber women across various positions. The summit aimed to illuminate the crucial yet often overlooked role of women in Indian agriculture.
The panel discussions delved into the challenges women face in the agri-food sector, focusing on skill gaps and the potential for collaboration between education and industry to address these issues. Another panel explored avenues for developing and advancing women in leadership roles, facilitating the exchange of ideas while underscoring the need to empower women in the industry.
Balram Singh Yadav, Managing Director of GAVL, commented on the summit, stating, “Despite their significant presence and immense contributions, our women farmers lack essential resources. To feed a billion-plus people in our country, we must create an ecosystem that promotes women not only on the farm fields but also in agri-businesses. Equipping them with the necessary knowledge, infrastructure, and support will undoubtedly enhance the overall agricultural output of the country.”
Yadav further emphasised, “As India moves towards a future of sustainable development, empowering women across the value chain and recognizing their significant contributions becomes non-negotiable. Therefore, through partnerships with the Agriculture Skill Council of India (ASCI), the Future Agriculture Leaders of India (FALI), and Godrej Good & Green, we aim to nurture 1 lakh women in the sector for better employment opportunities and economic upliftment.”
The Agriculture Skill Council of India (ASCI) focuses on capacity building, bridging gaps, and upgrading skills of individuals engaged in organised/unorganised segments of Agriculture & Allied Sectors. The Future of Agriculture Leaders in India (FALI), supported by leading agribusiness entities, works with rural students, providing them with the technical, business, and leadership skills required for success in modern, sustainable agriculture and agro enterprise.
Mallika Mutreja, Head of Human Resources at GAVL, highlighted the importance of women’s empowerment, stating, “At GAVL, the empowerment of women is at the heart of every action we undertake. We firmly believe that feminization in agriculture will help us adapt best practices and address structural inequalities crucial for our industry to realize the potential of women farmers. While this inaugural summit with the Agriculture Skill Council of India signifies a crucial moment, as an entity focused on helping feed our nation, we look forward to more such collaborations in the coming years.”
The summit garnered participation from industry leaders and academic experts, including Nadir Godrej, Chairman and Managing Director of Godrej Industries Limited (GIL) and Chairman of GAVL, Nisaba Godrej, Executive Chairperson, Godrej Consumer Products Limited, Burjis Godrej, Executive Director & COO – Crop Protection Business, GAVL, Ahana Gautam, CEO, Open Secret, Angshuman Bhattacharya, Partner, EY, Geetika Mehta, Managing Director of Nivea, Ireena Vittal, Advisor & Expert (Indian Agriculture & Urban Change) & Independent Director, Shilpa Divekar Nirula, Venture Partner, Omnivore, Prof. Vidya Vemireddy, Chair of the Gender Centre at IIM Ahmedabad and Dr Satendra Arya, CEO of the Agriculture Skill Council of India.
The ‘Women in Agriculture’ summit stands as a testament to GAVL’s commitment to recognising and empowering women in the agricultural sector. By fostering a platform for dialogue and collaboration, the summit paves the way for a future where women are acknowledged as equal partners in driving sustainable agricultural growth in India.
By Abhitash Singh
abhitash.singh@agrospectrumindia.com
