NEW DELHI: Thousands of women farmers from across India converged at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Delhi on September 30, for the All-India Women Farmer Conference, organised by the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS), with calls to transform the traditional image of women farmers and place agriculture, rural prosperity and women’s contribution at the centre of India’s development journey.
The conference opened with the worship of the cow and Bhagwan Balarama, followed by flag-hoisting and the collective proclamation, “We, the women of India, shall bring prosperity.” Women farmers from different states and villages participated in the day-long gathering, showcasing regional traditions while discussing challenges facing the agricultural sector.
‘Women farmers are no longer confined to traditional roles’
Delivering the keynote address, BKS All-India Women’s Coordinator Manju Dixit called for a change in the conventional perception of women farmers. She said women farmers are increasingly contributing to the economic development of their families and the country while adopting new technologies and bringing renewed energy to agricultural activities.
The inaugural session was addressed by Prof. Vimla Dunkwal, Vice-Chancellor of Kota Agricultural University, who described women as a powerful force capable of simultaneously shouldering the responsibilities of creation and nurturing.
Referring to women as embodiments of Annapurna and Durga, Dunkwal said women have traditionally placed their responsibilities ahead of their rights. The session also featured addresses by BKS All-India President K. Sai Reddy, All-India Vice-President Sushila Bishnoi and Secretary Veena Satish.
BKS pushes cow-based agriculture, organic farming
At the concluding session, BKS All-India General Secretary Mohini Mohan Mishra said the goal of building a developed and healthy India by 2047 would require greater emphasis on ‘Gau-Krishi-Vanijyam’, or cow-based agriculture and commerce, along with organic farming.
Mishra urged the government to formulate policies supporting toxin-free agriculture, a disease-free society and nutrition-rich food, which he referred to as ‘Amrit Aahar’.
BKS All-India Organising Secretary Dinesh Kulkarni said recognising the dignity and independence of self-reliant women farmers would strengthen villages, families and society as a whole.
Senior figures present at the conference included Ramlal Ji, All-India Contact Chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, and Ritu Sharma, All-India Co-Contact Chief of the Rashtra Sevika Samiti, along with senior Bharatiya Kisan Sangh office-bearers.
Women farmers honoured for contributions
The conference also recognised women farmers for their work across several areas of agriculture and rural enterprise. Among those honoured were Sunanda Saysing of Maharashtra for Gau-Krishi-Vanijyam, Deepali Oraon of West Bengal for organic farming and Kamala Ben of Gujarat for seed conservation.
Amba Kalindhi and Pampa Garai, both from West Bengal, were recognised for animal husbandry, while Pushpa Singh of Bihar was honoured for employment generation. In the food-processing category, honours went to Maya Sinha Mahapatra of Odisha, along with Sulta Chatterjee and Shukla Bairagi of West Bengal.
‘Unity in Diversity’ takes centre stage
The gathering also turned into a vibrant display of India’s cultural diversity, with women farmers arriving in traditional attire representing their respective regions. Folk songs in different languages and cultural dances filled the stadium, creating a showcase of regional traditions and the conference’s message of ‘Unity in Diversity’.
A notable feature of the event, according to the organisers, was that participating women farmers travelled to Delhi at their own expense, covering their own fares.
During the conference, the women discussed challenges confronting agriculture and called for the government to give immediate attention to issues affecting farmers and rural communities.
