Agra, Uttar Pradesh: CropLife India, an association of both Indian and Global R&D-driven crop science organisations, and a leading voice of the plant science industry in India, has been celebrating Women’s Day through an event – ‘नारीत्व का उत्सव’ (The celebration of womanhood), since many years. The objective of the celebrations has been to recognise the invaluable contribution of women farmers in agriculture and economic development. Training on safe and responsible usage of agrochemicals and identification of counterfeits were imparted; which are imminent for safe crop protection. The programme included a drone demonstration of crop protection products.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr. RS Chauhan, Head – KVK, Bichpuri, said, “The campaign theme for 2024 is ‘Inspire Inclusion’ and the overarching theme is ‘Invest in women: Accelerate progress.’ It emphasises the importance of creating an inclusive society and investing in women’s empowerment. We salute the spirit of womanhood as women are the real architects of society. Women have been contributing to a multitude of activities of farming, which necessitates the knowledge transfer of crop protection technology.”
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Around 250 women farmers participated from the nearby villages of Agra, viz. Shamshabad, Fatehabad, Bichpuri, Ghadi Gosain, Gaghpura, and Narawar, among other villages in Uttar Pradesh. Dr. Chauhan presided over the function. Prof. Beena Sharma, Pooja Saxena, VN Jha, Prof. Mahesh Alok, Prof. Jaspal Singh, Prof. SN Sharma, Dr Rakesh Kulshrestha, Chandrakala, and scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendra were present during the occasion.
“CropLife India is calling on fellow food and agriculture stakeholders across India to ‘Inspire Inclusion’ and work towards women empowerment to achieve sustainable and equitable food systems and rural development,” the association said.
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The International Women’s Day special programme ‘नारीत्व का उत्सव’ provided a platform to these women farmers where they were felicitated for their hard work and achievements in agriculture. From seed sowing to harvesting, women are part of almost all activities, yet sadly their access to resources is less compared to the male farmers. The event focused on inspiring these women to produce safe and healthy crops by using genuine crop protection products and detecting counterfeit, spurious, substandard unregistered and unlicensed agrochemicals. Women shared their achievements, experiences and challenges faced on the field as farmers.
The programme conducted various activities like kitchen garden activities, food processing, waste management, integrated pest management and cultural performances by women to motivate, educate and make them aware of their potential and abilities.
