Marking World Water Day, Dhanuka Agritech Limited organised a programme at New Delhi, aligned with this year’s global theme, “Water and Gender.”

The discussion underscored the disproportionate gender burden in water access, with women in India collectively spending an estimated 5.5 crore hours daily in water collection. The theme calls for gender-responsive water governance, improved last-mile delivery, and inclusive infrastructure planning to alleviate time poverty and strengthen socio-economic participation within rural and agrarian communities.

The programme commenced with lamp lighting and Saraswati Vandana and witnessed the presence of leading scientists and policymakers including Dr. Debashish Chakraborty (IARI), Dr. Man Singh (Former Project Director, WTC, IARI), Dr. P.S. Brahmanand (Project Director, WTC, IARI), Dr P K Singh , Agriculture commissioner, Ministry of agriculture, GOI and Dr. M. Madhu, Director, Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Dehradun.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Raj Bhushan Choudhary, Minister of State, Ministry of Jal Shakti, thanked Dhanuka Agritech for organising the programme and appreciated Shri R.G. Agrawal’s continued contribution towards climate-resilient agriculture. He noted that under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, transformative initiatives such as Jal Jeevan Mission have expanded tap water access to over 15 crore rural households, significantly reducing the burden on women and strengthening India’s water security framework.

In his remarks, Dr. R.G. Agarwal, Chairman Emeritus, Dhanuka Agritech Limited, emphasized that India possesses only 4 per cent of the world’s water resources while supporting 18 per cent of its population, making water conservation a national imperative. He highlighted Dhanuka’s sustained efforts in constructing check dams in Rajasthan, promoting rainwater harvesting, reviving groundwater levels, and driving nationwide awareness initiatives. Recalling his impactful slogan given in 2005, “Khet ka pani khet mein, gaon ka pani gaon mein,” he reiterated that “water cannot be created — it can only be conserved,” a message that was widely amplified through the company’s campaign featuring its brand ambassador, Amitabh Bachchan.

Adding a scientific perspective, Dr. M. Madhu, Director, Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Dehradun underscored the importance of systematic soil and water management, stressing that strengthening soil health, enhancing infiltration, preventing runoff through field bunding, and creating on-farm water storage structures are essential for long-term sustainability.

The programme concluded with a collective pledge to promote responsible water use and reinforce collaboration between government, research institutions, industry, and farmers to build a water-secure and equitable India. Dhanuka Agritech reaffirmed that sustainable agriculture and responsible water management remain central to its long-term vision. Through continued investment in water stewardship initiatives and farmer-centric solutions, Dhanuka remains committed to safeguarding this vital resource for future generation.