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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

The panel discussions delved into the challenges

GAVL will be investing Rs 300 Crore over the next 3-4 years in setting up the integrated palm oil complex.

Godrej Agrovet Limited’s (GAVL) Oil Palm business announced that the company will be setting up an Integrated Palm Oil Complex in the state of Telangana. To be set up in the Khammam district, it will consist of a state the of art Crude Palm Oil mill along with the provision of setting up a refinery in the near future. GAVL will be investing Rs 300 Crore over the next 3-4 years in setting up the integrated palm oil complex. Additionally, through its Samadhan Centers – a one stop solution for oil palm farmers, the company would also provide advisory services on best practices / modern technologies, farm inputs (such as fertilizers, drip irrigation, pesticides, seeds, and harvesting tools) and services under one roof. The company’s partnership with the State Bank of India would also support Oil Palm Plantation farmers during the gestation period. With 65,000 hectares of palm oil under cultivation across the country, GAVL plans to increase cultivation to 1.2 Lac hectares by 2027.

The company will also establish a nursery with a capacity of up to 7 Lac saplings per year in addition to the seed production & research unit. At the complex, GAVL will be setting up first-ever seed garden in India. This seed garden can provide seeds for the planting of 90,000 acres of area and shall help Telangana state to achieve targets for oil palm plantation.

Present on the occasion of laying the foundation stone for Crude Palm Oil mill were K. T. Rama Rao, Minister for Municipal Administration & Urban Development, Industries & Commerce, and Information Technology of Telangana; Burjis Godrej, Executive Director and COO-Crop Protection Business, GAVL; Sougata Niyogi, CEO – Oil Palm, GAVL and Rakesh Swami, Group President Corporate Affairs, Godrej Industries Limited.

“Telangana’s ambitious oil palm mission aims to bring 20 lakh acres under cultivation across the state. The mission will improve income for more than 5 lakh farm households while at the same time contributing to the nation’s deficit for edible oils. Along with being the rice bowl for the country, Telangana is all set to become the largest edible oil producer in India. We are delighted to partner with a strong and reliable partner like Godrej Agrovet in this endeavour. Their expertise in the oil palm sector will definitely help us achieve our goals of unleashing a yellow revolution”, said K. T. Rama Rao, Minister for Municipal Administration & Urban Development, Industries & Commerce, and Information Technology of Telangana.

Commenting on the announcement, Balram Singh Yadav, Managing Director, GAVL said, “Leveraging our expertise of more than three decades in the oil palm business, we intend to handhold oil palm farmers by providing them access to quality seedlings and nursery. With our plans of commissioning of Crude Palm Oil mill in the coming years, it is our honour to set up country’s first integrated palm oil complex in the state of Telangana”.

GAVL will be investing Rs 300 Crore

The 48-member Committee will meet once every quarter in a financial year to discuss, recommend, prescribe and advise policies regarding the sectors.

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (FAHD), Government of India, has announced the formation of a National Advisory Committee for Animal Husbandry and Dairying sector encompassing several industry experts and business leaders.

Balram Singh Yadav, Managing Director, Godrej Agrovet Limited, has been appointed as an industry representative in the committee. The newly formed Committee will be chaired by Hon’ble Union Minister (FAHD), Parshottam Rupala, and co-chaired by MoSs (FAHD), Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan. The 48-member Committee will meet once every quarter in a financial year to discuss, recommend, prescribe and advise policies regarding the sectors.

On the appointment, Balram Singh Yadav, Managing Director, Godrej Agrovet Limited, said, “I am thankful to the Ministry for giving me with this opportunity. It is an honour to work with some of the industry’s brightest and most committed minds and contribute towards the future growth of the country. The Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairy sectors have a lot of scope for furthering its contribution to the Indian economy at large. I am confident that right policies and ecosystems crated through the concerted efforts of the government and the industry will lead to high employment generation and help elevate farmers’ income.  

Dr O.P. Chaudhary, Joint Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairy (DAHD), Government of India (GoI) will act as Member Secretary of the Committee and plan coordination unit of DAHD; GoI will provide all secretarial assistance to the Committee. This Committee comprises various government officials, union leaders, experts in the fields, farmers, and industry representatives to recommend, prescribe and advise policies relating to cattle & dairy development, feed and fodder, poultry, piggery, sheep, goal, animal health, other livestock, etc.

The 48-member Committee will meet once every