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.