President Murmu Calls for Women’s Leadership in Agriculture at GCWAS-2026

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday urged stronger leadership roles for women in agriculture and agri-food systems, saying gender-inclusive policies and greater participation of women farmers are essential for sustainable agricultural growth and global food security.

Addressing the inaugural session of the Global Conference on the Role of Women in Agri-Food Systems (GCWAS-2026) in New Delhi on March 12, the President highlighted the crucial contribution of women across the agricultural value chain and called for expanded support systems to empower them as leaders.

Women at the Heart of Agriculture

President Murmu noted that women are deeply involved in almost every stage of agricultural activity, from sowing and harvesting to processing and marketing agricultural produce.

She pointed out that women also play critical roles in fisheries, beekeeping, animal husbandry, forest produce management and agriculture-based enterprises, making them indispensable to the rural economy.

"Women make invaluable contributions to the agricultural economy," the President said, emphasising that their work often remains under-recognised despite its scale and impact.

Rising Participation of Women in Agricultural Education

Highlighting encouraging trends in agricultural education, Murmu said girls now account for more than 50 percent of students in state agricultural universities, with the share exceeding 60 percent in several institutions.

She noted that female students are also delivering strong academic performance, demonstrating the potential for women to take leadership roles in agriculture, research and policy.

However, she stressed that governments, institutions and society must ensure adequate opportunities, mentorship and support systems so these young women can translate education into leadership within the agricultural sector.

Overcoming Social Barriers to Women's Leadership

The President underscored the need to challenge traditional perceptions that limit women's leadership roles.

"Leadership is inherent in motherhood," she said, adding that society often restricts this leadership potential to domestic spaces.

She called for a shift in mindset so that women farmers can emerge as leaders in agriculture, agri-food systems and rural development.

2026 Declared International Year of the Woman Farmer

Murmu also highlighted the United Nations' declaration of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, describing it as a global call to reduce gender disparities and strengthen women's leadership across agri-food systems.

She said the declaration encourages governments and stakeholders worldwide to close gender gaps in access to resources, training and decision-making roles in agriculture.

Expanding Women's Role in Policy and Decision-Making

The President stressed that India's development vision increasingly focuses on women-led growth, including within the agricultural sector.

She urged policymakers to ensure that women farmers have a greater voice in policy formulation, decision-making and leadership positions.

Greater participation of women at every level of the agricultural system, she said, would accelerate gender-inclusive agricultural development and rural prosperity.

Addressing Structural Challenges for Women Farmers

Murmu also pointed out key barriers that many women farmers still face, including:

• Lack of formal land ownership rights

• Limited access to technical knowledge and training

• Difficulty obtaining financial resources and institutional support

Addressing these challenges through targeted policy interventions, she said, will significantly strengthen the agricultural sector.

She highlighted government initiatives over the past decade that have promoted women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), which have helped expand women's economic participation in agriculture.

Linking Gender Inclusion with Global Sustainability Goals

Referring to global development priorities, the President said the international community increasingly recognises the importance of balancing People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnerships.

She urged stakeholders to give special priority to gender inclusion within this framework.

According to Murmu, meaningful participation of women across sectors—including agriculture—will not only help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but also contribute to a more equitable and environmentally sustainable world.

Global Conference to Shape Gender-Inclusive Agri-Food Policies

The three-day Global Conference on the Role of Women in Agri-Food Systems (GCWAS-2026) aims to strengthen international cooperation and policy frameworks supporting women in agriculture.

The conference is jointly organised by:

• Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS)

• Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

• Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)

• Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority (PPV&FRA)

Participants from across the world will deliberate on policy reforms, institutional frameworks and collaborative initiatives to mainstream gender participation and recognise the vital role of women in building sustainable and inclusive agri-food systems.