Pune: On the occasion of World Mother’s Day, an appeal was made to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to establish a national organisation dedicated to the empowerment of women in agriculture. The appeal was submitted via email by the “Bharat Krishi Nari Samridhi Sangh” and the “Krishi Nari Abhiyan Samiti” for the welfare and upliftment of women farmers, women agricultural labourers, women fruit and vegetable vendors, and women engaged in food processing and agro-based industries. The memorandum urged the government to provide special recognition, dignity and independent national-level schemes for women under the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 through the message “Krishi Nari — Samridhi Nari.”
The concept of the initiative was proposed by Raghunath Yemul. Through “My Kisan Mart,” farmers and consumers have been directly connected for the last 12 years. During interactions with thousands of farmers, the challenges faced by women farmers, women agricultural labourers and women vendors selling fruits and vegetables came to the forefront. He stressed the need for a nationwide organised movement to strengthen rural women who still struggle for market access, fair pricing, training and financial support.
The guiding force behind the “Bharat Krishi Nari Samridhi Sangh” and “Krishi Nari Abhiyan Samiti” is Vidyabhushan Dr. Prashant Pagare. The committee also includes Rashmi Maurya, former APMC administrator B. J. Deshmukh, Kamini Balasaheb Deshmukh, Varsha Paigwar and Sushila Singh.
According to the memorandum, India has more than 3.6 crore women cultivators and over 6 crore women agricultural labourers. More than 10 crore women are directly connected with agriculture through dairy, animal husbandry, horticulture and food processing sectors. The committee stated that over 75 percent of working rural women are engaged in agriculture and women contribute nearly 60 to 80 percent of the country’s food production. However, only 13.9 percent of women own agricultural land.
The committee has proposed organising one crore women farmers over the next five years, establishing 10 lakh women-led agro-based micro enterprises, connecting self-help groups with farm-to-market supply chains, and creating market access through digital platforms. The proposal also includes skill development in organic farming and food processing, establishment of “Krishi Nari Mandals” across states, district-level women agricultural leadership centres, and a dedicated digital app providing government schemes, market prices, weather updates and agricultural guidance.
The memorandum further proposed healthcare, maternity, nutrition and insurance support for women farmers, microfinance assistance, Mudra loans, awareness regarding land rights and Agri-Startup opportunities for young women in the agricultural sector.
According to the committee, the initiative could significantly increase the income of rural women, create employment opportunities, strengthen the Agri-MSME sector and accelerate the vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and “Viksit Bharat 2047.” The memorandum stated that true national prosperity would only be possible when women farmers and women associated with agriculture receive dignity, identity and economic self-reliance.
