New Delhi | 12 Feb 2026

Droupadi Murmu on Thursday highlighted the importance of increasing women’s participation in leadership and policymaking within the agriculture sector. Speaking at the inaugural session of the Global Conference on the Role of Women in Agri-Food Systems (GCWAS-2026) in New Delhi, the President underlined that empowering women in agriculture is essential for achieving inclusive and sustainable growth. She said the contributions of women farmers are immense, yet their representation in decision-making roles needs to expand.

The President noted that women play a vital role in almost every stage of agricultural work. From sowing seeds and harvesting crops to processing and marketing agricultural produce, women remain deeply involved in the sector. She also mentioned their significant contribution in allied activities such as fisheries, beekeeping, animal husbandry and forest-based livelihoods. Emphasising the need for stronger representation, she said, “Women in the agriculture sector should get a greater role in policy formulation, decision-making and leadership positions,” adding that greater participation would help promote gender-inclusive agricultural development.

Highlighting the growing presence of women in agricultural education, President Murmu pointed out that female students now account for more than half of the enrolment in state agricultural universities and even higher numbers in several institutions. She said these students are performing strongly in academics and have the potential to become future leaders in the sector. Encouraging society to support their aspirations, she stressed that young women must be provided opportunities and encouragement to take on leadership roles in agriculture and the broader agri-food systems.

Addressing social perceptions, the President also spoke about the need to rethink traditional views regarding women’s roles. She remarked, “Leadership is inherent in motherhood. However, motherhood is often considered to be confined within the home. We must overcome this mindset and empower women farmers to provide leadership.” She also noted that the United Nations has declared 2026 as the ‘International Year of the Woman Farmer’, aimed at strengthening gender equality and women’s leadership in agri-food systems worldwide. According to her, India’s vision of women-led development will gain strength when women farmers receive better access to land rights, technology, financial support and institutional assistance.

President Murmu further emphasised the importance of initiatives such as Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), which have played a significant role in empowering women farmers in recent years. She said such initiatives help improve economic opportunities and encourage women to participate more actively in agricultural decision-making. The President expressed confidence that the conference would help identify practical solutions to strengthen policy frameworks and increase women’s participation in building sustainable agri-food systems.

The three-day conference has been organised jointly by the Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research and the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority. The event aims to bring together experts, policymakers and stakeholders from across the world to discuss ways to strengthen gender inclusion in agriculture while recognising the important role women play in global agri-food systems.

President Murmu Urges Greater Role for Women in Agricultural Leadership

Droupadi Murmu on Thursday stressed the need to increase the participation of women in policymaking and leadership within the agriculture sector. Speaking at the Global Conference on the Role of Women in Agri-Food Systems (GCWAS-2026) in New Delhi, she said women play a crucial role in agriculture and should also be given stronger representation in decision-making processes.

Highlighting their contribution, the President said women are involved in almost every stage of farming, including sowing, harvesting, processing and marketing crops. They also actively participate in related activities such as fisheries, beekeeping, animal husbandry and forest-based livelihoods. She said, “Women in the agriculture sector should get a greater role in policy formulation, decision-making and leadership positions.”

President Murmu also pointed out the growing presence of women in agricultural education. According to her, girls now make up more than half of the students in state agricultural universities and even higher numbers in several institutions. She encouraged governments and society to support young women so that they can take leadership roles in agriculture and agri-food systems.

She further noted that the United Nations has declared 2026 as the “International Year of the Woman Farmer” to promote gender equality in agriculture. The President expressed confidence that such initiatives, along with support through Self-Help Groups and Farmer Producer Organisations, will strengthen the role of women and contribute to sustainable agricultural development.