
First Female Farmer Worker Conference Held in New Delhi
#GS-2 #Governance & Social Justice #Women #GS-3 #Economy #Agriculture #Employment
Key takeaways
- India hosted its first Female Farmer Worker Conference in New Delhi, organized by the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS).
- While women perform 60-80% of manual farm labor in India, fewer than 14% hold legal land ownership titles.
- The event targeted reforms in joint land titles, institutional credit access, and women-led Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
- The conference aligned with the global observance of the UN International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026.
Why in News
- India recently hosted its first Female Farmer Worker Conference in New Delhi.
- The event aimed to recognize the vital role women play in agriculture and rural income generation.
- This meeting also matched the timeline of the UN-designated International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026.
About the Conference
- This national convention brought together women farmers, farm laborers, and pastoralists from across India.
- The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) organized this historic event.
- The primary goal was giving women a formal legal identity as real farmers rather than unpaid family workers.
- It also aimed to help women secure land titles, gain bank credit, and practice sustainable farming.
Key Features of the Event
- The conference aligned its agenda with the UN International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026.
- Organizers presented national awards to women excelling in organic farming, local seed saving, animal care, and food processing.
- Speakers highlighted rural women as key protectors of traditional seeds, local biodiversity, and family nutrition.
- Attendants discussed major policy barriers like missing land titles, bank loan refusal, lack of lightweight farm tools, and poor market access.
- The program promoted leadership by showing how women-led Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) build successful farm businesses.
Significance of the Conference
- Women perform 60-80% of all manual farm work in India, yet fewer than 14% hold land ownership titles.
- This lack of property ownership prevents women from getting government farm benefits and bank loans.
- Supporting women farmers encourages natural eco-friendly agriculture, improves soil health, and strengthens family nutritional security.