International Day of Rural Women 2024 Celebrations Witness Key Discussions and Meets on Empowering Women in Agriculture

Solidaridad honours the incredible contributions of rural women who are at the forefront of regenerative agriculture. Commemorating their contribution to sustainable farming practices and regenerative agriculture to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Solidaridad Asia , in association with the European Union , organized a two-day Summit. A field visit, and a policy meet on "Empowering Rural Women in Regenerative Agriculture: Strengthening Supply Chains and Accelerating Sustainable Growth" to strengthen and promote the role of women in regenerative agriculture by building sustainable supply chains, gender-inclusive policies and women-friendly technologies, were also held in Madhya Pradesh on October 15-16, 2024.

As a solution-oriented organization, Solidaridad is working with women and is playing a pivotal role in increasing the participation of women to promote and implement regenerative agricultural practices throughout the country. Through the EU-India Partnership with Solidaridad, we aim to facilitate integration of regenerative agricultural practices in the vegetable oil sector and enable policies for its wider implementation by the relevant supply chain players. This platform will spotlight how rural women can be empowered to be leaders in regenerative agriculture, thereby strengthening supply chains and accelerating sustainable growth.

?? Event Highlight

A gathering of more than 1000 women took place at the village of Gandharvpuri, Dewas district, on 15 October 2024. Here, the event saw discussions on how women farmers can profit from their contributions to and participation in regenerative agriculture, and can shape a sustainable future, government initiatives on making them self-dependent, and how new opportunities can be developed for rural women. In addition to highlighting the achievements of rural women, the event also emphasized the importance of women's leadership and ownership in regenerative agriculture. With participation from policymakers and industry experts, the event also witnessed discussions on sustainable economic growth and empowerment of women-led supply chains.

?? Consultation Meets

After an exposure visit to the Nico Roozen Center for Excellence in Regenerative Agriculture at Barkheda Kharet village, Sehore district, a consultation meet was held in Gunga village, Bhopal district, with government departments, gram panchayat representatives, women entrepreneurs and farmers. The discussions mainly focused on understanding the interventions of gram panchayats and their role in crafting opportunities for women in agriculture (with a special focus on regenerative agriculture).

?? Policy Meet

The policy meet on “Framework for Enhancing Economic Equity: Strengthening Support Systems for Women in Regenerative Agriculture through Inclusive Supply Chains, Financial Access, and Gender-Sensitive Technologies” focused on a number of agendas. The primary topics of deliberation were the creation and facilitation of a sustainable supply chain management framework/system for women, and providing reservation for them in procuring minimum support prices in the supply chain market. Other issues taken up in the meet included designing and promoting women-friendly agricultural equipment and women's role in building sustainable food systems.