The roundtable served as a critical platform to discuss actionable strategies for enhancing gender inclusivity in agriculture, driving sustainable growth, and empowering women as key stakeholders in the sector.
Elisabeth Faure, Country Director, UN World Food Program, today while addressing Roundtable on ‘Advancing Gender-Inclusive Agri Value Chains’, organized by FICCI, jointly with Yara India and Solidaridad Network, emphasised the need for inclusive agricultural functions to create an equitable, efficient, and sustainable food system.
She highlighted that empowering women with comprehensive support mechanisms can drive significant progress in agriculture and ensure long-term food security.
Siraj Hussain, Advisor, Food Processing, FICCI and Former Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, underscored the crucial role women play in agriculture and livestock industries. He stated that equal participation of women in these sectors is fundamental to achieving a more inclusive and resilient agricultural ecosystem.
Sanjiv Kanwar, Managing Director, Yara South Asia & Country Head, Yara India, stressed the financial challenges faced by women in agriculture. He pointed out that despite their willingness to learn and adopt new practices, women often do not receive adequate financial recognition. Bridging this gap is essential for improving their economic stability and contributions to the sector.
Neha, Senior Manager, Gender (Asia Region), Solidaridad Network Asia Ltd., emphasized the significance of the feminization of the supply chain, which empowers women not just economically but also socially and psychologically. She highlighted the need to ensure financial access and control for women to bring about long-lasting change in the agricultural sector.
A key highlight of the roundtable was the Voices from the Field, where women farmers shared their real-life experiences, contributions, challenges, and success stories. Their testimonies underscored the urgent need for policy interventions, training programs, and workshops to build confidence among women farmers, ensure equal rights and opportunities, and enhance their knowledge of market linkages and industry support to enhance their participation in the agricultural value chain.
The roundtable served as a critical platform to discuss actionable strategies for enhancing gender inclusivity in agriculture, driving sustainable growth, and empowering women as key stakeholders in the sector. It also explored market-driven solutions to empower women in agriculture, highlighted successful initiatives that promote rural livelihoods and gender equality, and examined Ease of Doing Business (EODB) policies to support a more sustainable agribusiness ecosystem in India. The discussions reaffirmed the commitment of industry leaders and policymakers to advancing gender equity through targeted interventions, financial inclusion, and skill development initiatives.
