Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Radha Mohan Singh on October 15, 2017, said here that the government is giving preference to women under various policies such as organic farming, self-employment scheme, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, etc. The Minister said that the women can propel the country towards second Green Revolution and they can change the landscape of the development if they get opportunities and facilities. Singh was addressing Rashtriya Mahila Kisan Diwas celebration.
Krishna Raj, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Smt. Archana Chitnis, Minister of Women and Child Development, Madhya Pradesh Government, Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, DG, ICAR, were also present at the event.
Singh informed that last year the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry had decided to observe October 15 every year as Rashtriya Mahila Kisan Diwas. He said said that in the current scenario, women’s contribution to the prevention of climate change and management of natural resources can’t be denied. They play multi-dimensional roles in agriculture. They are contributing in every field of agriculture – from sowing to planting, drainage, irrigation, fertilizer, plant protection, harvesting, weeding, and storage. Apart from this, they are active in other activities like cattle management, fodder collection, milk and allied activities related to agriculture such as beekeeping, mushroom production, suction farming, goat rearing, poultry, etc.
The Minister informed that according to the Food and Agriculture Organization, women’s contribution to Indian agriculture is about 32 % while in some states (such as Hills, Northeast, and Kerala) contribution of women to agriculture and rural economy is more than men. Women are involved in 48 % agriculture-related employment whereas 7.5 crore women are playing a significant role in milk production and livestock management, according to a PIB release.
Singh said to strengthen women’s participation in agriculture and allied activities and to improve their access to land, loans and other facilities, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has policy provisions like joint leasing for both domestic and agricultural land under National Policy for Farmers. Under Agriculture policies, provisions of issuing Kisan Credit Card to women and creating livelihood opportunities through livestock practices agricultural processing are mentioned.