'Nari Shakti' in Limelight

Women have taken remarkable strides in agriculture in India, ranging from agritech startups, agribusinesses, and R&D to academia.

- Dipti Barve

Their presence has become increasingly prominent, shaping India’s agrarian landscape. The Union Minister of State for Agriculture,

Shobha Karandlaje, highlighted the significant role of women in academia, where over 50 per cent of students in agricultural universities are female, during the Women Agricultural Entrepreneurship Sector Conference 2024’ in Thrissur, Kerala.

According to a McKinsey study, rural women entrepreneurs could contribute $1 trillion to the Indian economy, underscoring the potential economic impact of leveling the playing field for women. With 432 million working-age women and 13.5-15.7 million women-owned businesses, providing direct employment to 2227 million people, the empowerment of women in agribusiness holds immense promise for India’s economic growth.