President Murmu Emphasizes Empowering Women in Agriculture for Development

President Droupadi Murmu recently inaugurated the International Research Conference with the theme 'From Research to Impact: Towards Just and Resilient Agri-Food Systems' on 9^th October 2023 in New Delhi.

 The event, jointly hosted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform, serves as a platform for experts to delve into innovative solutions for more equitable and sustainable agricultural practices.

Notable attendees included Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar, along with Union Ministers of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Kailash Choudhary and Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, alongside other distinguished figures from the agricultural sector.

In her address, President Murmu highlighted the vital role women play in agriculture and emphasized the significance of empowering women to advance sustainable agri-food systems. She stressed the need for research to establish conditions aligned with goals of ecological sustainability, ethical production, economic affordability, and social justice within agriculture. President Murmu emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive understanding of the transformation of agri-food systems.

President Murmu commended the CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform for its commitment to gender equality in food systems research, where women are viewed as catalysts of change and driving forces rather than passive subjects.

Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar emphasized the critical contributions of women in Indian agriculture. He noted that women invest as much time as men in agricultural work and contribute approximately 30 hours per week to unpaid care work. He also highlighted the importance of achieving equality in agri-food systems as a means to reduce poverty and enhance women's access to nutrition and healthcare, in alignment with the G20 Declaration.

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 Tomar also highlighted India's role in global agriculture, with its rich history of research and innovation, particularly in climate-friendly agricultural practices. He underscored India's potential to be a global leader in agriculture, driven by innovations developed by ICAR.

Prof. Andrew Campbell, Executive Managing Director for CGIAR, stressed the positive impact of gender equity on food and nutrition security. He emphasized the role of inclusive agricultural transformation in improving the resilience and sustainability of food systems.

Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, emphasized the need to mainstream women in agriculture to boost economic growth and provide women with greater access to resources.

Also Read:- President Murmu Commences “From Research to Impact: Towards Just and Resilient Agri-Food Systems" in New Delhi

Mr. Amitabh Kant, India's G20 Sherpa, delivered a keynote address, highlighting the importance of focusing on areas such as food security, climate-smart approaches, inclusive agricultural value chains, and digitization to promote gender-inclusive agricultural transformation.

The four-day conference, taking place from October 9 to 12, brings together gender researchers from 68 countries to exchange knowledge on gender and inclusion in food systems.

The event aims to promote dialogues among researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and private sector actors to advance equitable and socially inclusive, resilient food systems. This initiative represents a significant step towards establishing fair and resilient agricultural practices and systems.

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