First Female Farmer Worker Conference Held in New Delhi

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.