NITI Aayog urges improved market access and climate resilience for women farmers at Hyderabad conference
At the ongoing 33rd Annual Conference of the Agricultural Economics Research Association (AERA) hosted at the ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management in Hyderabad, NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand highlighted the critical need to improve market access for rural women farmers. According to Chand, such access is essential for rural women to sell their agricultural produce at competitive prices, thereby promoting their economic empowerment and contributing significantly to the country’s broader economic growth. He underscored that women now make up over 34% of the total workforce, with their participation in agriculture-related activities having risen to 12% in recent years, arguing that their productivity in farming surpasses that of men in many contexts.
Chand also called for a gradual reduction in agricultural emissions as a measure to mitigate climate change impacts, a sentiment echoed by other experts present at the conference. The event, themed ‘Innovations in Agribusiness, Empowering Women and Climate-Resilient Agriculture,’ convened agricultural economists, scientists, industry personnel, and young scholars to discuss strategies addressing these intersecting challenges.
Himanshu Pathak, Director General of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), pointed to the significant challenges of enhancing women’s roles in agriculture alongside managing climate change effects. He highlighted the importance of fostering innovations in agricultural systems through enabling environments, collaborative partnerships, and increased investments. Pathak encouraged agricultural scientists to develop and release climate-resilient crop varieties that can sustain productivity and meet the growing demands for food.
In line with these discussions, ICRISAT recently launched an AI-powered initiative to support climate-resilient agriculture at scale. This project integrates real-time weather forecasts and machine learning analytics to deliver personalised and actionable climate advisory services to smallholder farmers via accessible digital platforms. Such innovations aim to empower farmers, including women in rural communities, to make informed decisions regarding sowing, irrigation, and pest management amid increasing climate variability.
Pathak’s leadership at ICRISAT reflects a broader commitment to building agricultural resilience, especially in dryland regions vulnerable to climate risks. Having taken charge as Director General earlier this year, he emphasises strengthening collaborations and advancing frontier science for sustainable agri-food solutions. His work extends beyond India, with recent efforts reinforcing support for climate adaptation in the Sahel region of Africa, a zone facing severe vulnerabilities due to climate challenges.
Beyond empowering rural women through market access and climate-smart agriculture, there is a growing recognition of the need for gender equity within agri-food systems. Recent global conferences have focused on integrating gender-transformative approaches, ensuring women farmers receive equal access to resources, training, and decision-making roles. Programs recognising progressive women farmers and entrepreneurs underscore both the challenges and successes in promoting gender equity in agriculture.
Furthermore, targeted capacity-building initiatives, such as ICRISAT’s Master Class on New Crop Breeding Technologies, invest in equipping early-career researchers, including a strong representation of women, with cutting-edge knowledge on predictive breeding and AI to combat climate change impacts. These comprehensive efforts mirror the multi-faceted approach necessary to empower women agriculturists, boost agribusiness innovation, and secure climate-resilient agriculture for a sustainable future.
The AERA conference's focus sessions on empowering women in agriculture, bridging gender gaps, and promoting climate-resilient practices align closely with these ongoing initiatives. Together, they highlight a promising, if complex, path forward for transforming agriculture through inclusivity, innovation, and climate awareness.