Change in inevitable! This ‘Mahila Kisan Diwas’ let’s pledge to empower women with self sustainability

NewsBharati    15-Oct-2018
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New Delhi, October 15: One day for the hands that help plough the fields, extend help in the farms, working day and night just to ensure that they get the basic amenities, let’s come together to celebrate a day for kisan women!

 

Celebrating 15th October as Mahila Kisan Diwas, the day honors women contribution in the field with that of the ‘annadatas’ (farmers). Every year, on this day of activities and programmes, are organized mainly to empower women in the field of agriculture. Women farmers, entrepreneurs, farming organizations, agricultural scientists and researchers from different states will participate in the event.

In 2016, the Ministry had decided to observe 15th of October as Rashtriya Mahila Kisan Diwas. Women are contributing in various aspects of agriculture including sowing, planting, fertilizing, plant protection, harvesting, weeding, and storage.

Women have always been the core of farming ever since agriculture is known to mankind. It is also known that approximately more than 80% of women in rural India depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Among the entire farming community, more than 30% of women are cultivators themselves and more than 45% are the ones that serve as agricultural laborers. This just shows that women are the major driving force in the agricultural sector. 

To recognize and promote this capacity of women, there are number of initiatives taken by Government as well as private organisations. On one hand, initiatives like Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Prayojana (MKSP) etc. are taken by the Government, while on the other hand projects like ‘Prerna’ are under taken by the private sector organisation, to provide women-friendly, efficient and ergonomic farm tools and equipment.

Women contribution in the field has been an essential part of the agriculture sector. The less recognition implied on them was because women were always the part of organized force in small-scale agriculture and subsistence farming. Like every other sector, agriculture also faces male dominance. As it is said, ‘change is inevitable’. Past several years have witnessed a change in the scenario in the field of agriculture. The role of women in agriculture is still the same but the acceptance today has increased in society.