Srinagar- Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday underscored the central role of women farmers in sustaining food systems and driving rural economies, calling for their greater empowerment through targeted policies, resources and institutional support.

Addressing a women farmers’ conference organised by Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited in Srinagar, Sinha said women farmers form the backbone of agriculture and food security.

“Without women farmers, every plate would be empty, leaving humanity starved. They sustain the world, work harder than their male counterparts and anchor food security,” he said.

Highlighting a structural imbalance, the Lieutenant Governor noted that while women contribute significantly to agriculture, they are often excluded from economic gains. He urged stakeholders to identify and remove barriers that limit their participation and growth.

“The global food system rests on women’s labour, yet it excludes them from prosperity. We must eliminate these barriers one by one,” he said.

Sinha described the United Nations’ declaration of 2026 as the International Year of Women Farmers as a historic opportunity to recognise women as creators in agriculture rather than mere labourers.

“I see 2026 as a defining moment to acknowledge women’s leadership in agriculture and allied sectors and to fulfil their aspirations,” he said.

Push for Women-Led Agricultural Reform

Calling for a policy shift, the Lieutenant Governor asked departments including agriculture, horticulture, fisheries and dairy to prioritise women farmers in resource allocation and programme implementation.

He also urged financial institutions to design loan products that enable landless women farmers to access credit in their own names, and called on technology innovators to develop tools tailored to their needs.

“Empowered women farmers are bearers of climate resilience, building robust agri-ecosystems with quality seeds, digital tools and market linkages,” he said.

Sinha stressed the need for direct market access through cooperatives and emphasised strengthening women-led farmer producer organisations (FPOs) and self-help groups.

Schemes and Participation

Highlighting ongoing initiatives, the Lieutenant Governor said the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) has registered 14,782 women farmers, while the Jammu and Kashmir Climate-Informed Agriculture Project (JKCIP), launched in June 2024, has enrolled 5,248 women.

He added that over 90,000 women beneficiaries are covered under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. Thousands more are engaged across sectors, including natural farming, horticulture, sericulture, dairy, sheep farming and fisheries.

“In total, nearly 3.11 lakh women are registered across agriculture and allied sectors in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said, while acknowledging that many more remain unregistered and should be brought under government schemes.

Sinha also highlighted the role of skill-based programmes in mushroom cultivation, beekeeping, food processing and horticulture in transforming rural women into agri-entrepreneurs and decision-makers.

“When women control production resources, inputs and services, they ensure food security,” he said.

Call for Institutional Support

The Lieutenant Governor urged IFFCO to establish a farmers’ training centre, a multi-facility service centre and a sheep production unit in Jammu and Kashmir, along with mobile soil testing facilities to support farmers.

He stressed that empowering women farmers is key to achieving sustainable agricultural growth and improving rural livelihoods.

Event and Participation

On the occasion, Sinha felicitated women agri-entrepreneurs and visited stalls set up by IFFCO and local participants.

The event was attended by Agriculture Minister Javid Ahmad Dar, IFFCO Chairman Dileep Singhani, Managing Director K.J. Patel and other senior officials, along with women farmers, entrepreneurs and members of self-help groups.

Reiterating his vision for women-led development, Sinha said that strengthening women’s role in agriculture would not only boost productivity but also ensure long-term food security and economic resilience in Jammu and Kashmir.