Advancing Gender Inclusive Agri Value Chain Roundtable

The roundtable on advancing gender inclusivity in agri value chain, co-hosted by Yara and FICCI, was held on 18 March 2025 at the FICCI Federation House, New Delhi. The roundtable brought together diverse stakeholders— Government, United Nation organizations, agriculture research institutes, financial institutions, private companies, and industry leaders—to discuss specific challenges, innovative solutions, and strategies for promoting inclusivity in the agri value chain.  

The event featured prominent speakers from the UN World Food Program, the Norwegian embassy, IFC – member of World Bank Group, CSIR- Ministry of Science and Technology, National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), HarvestPlus Solutions, Jain Irrigation, Solidaridad and more. The session focused on real-world challenges and solutions in inclusive agripreneurship, with industry experts sharing their insights and experiences.  

The participants identified several key challenges, including limited access to capital, market access and linkage difficulties, lack of awareness about support programs, inadequate mentorship, and issues with scaling and sustainability.  

Ms Elisabeth Faure, Country Director, UN World Food Program, emphasized the need for inclusive agricultural functions to create an equitable, efficient, and sustainable food system. She highlighted that empowering women with comprehensive support mechanisms can drive significant progress in agriculture and ensure long-term food security.  

Mr Siraj Hussain, Advisor, Food Processing, FICCI and Former Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, underscored the crucial role women play in agriculture and livestock industries. He stated that equal participation of women in these sectors is fundamental to achieving a more inclusive and resilient agricultural ecosystem.  

Mr Sanjiv Kanwar, Managing Director, Yara South Asia & Country Head, Yara India, stressed the financial challenges faced by women in agriculture. He pointed out that despite their willingness to learn and adopt new practices, women often do not receive adequate financial recognition. Bridging this gap is essential for improving their economic stability and contributions to the sector.  

Ms Neha, Senior Manager, Gender (Asia Region), Solidaridad Network Asia Ltd., emphasized the significance of the feminization of the supply chain, which empowers women not just economically but also socially and psychologically. She highlighted the need to ensure financial access and control for women to bring about long-lasting change in the agricultural sector.  

A key highlight of the roundtable was the Voices from the Field, where women farmers representing SHGs and women FPOs shared their real-life experiences, contributions, challenges, and success stories. Their testimonies underscored the urgent need for policy interventions, training programs, regulatory hurdles and workshops to build confidence among women farmers, ensure equal rights and opportunities, and enhance their knowledge of market linkages and industry support to enhance their participation in the agricultural value chain.  

The roundtable served as a critical platform to discuss actionable strategies for enhancing gender inclusivity in agriculture, driving sustainable growth, and empowering women as key stakeholders in the sector. It also explored market-driven solutions to empower women in agriculture, highlighted successful initiatives that promote rural livelihoods and gender equality, and examined Ease of Doing Business (EODB) policies to support a more sustainable agribusiness ecosystem in India. The discussions reaffirmed the commitment of industry leaders and policymakers to advancing gender equity through targeted interventions, financial inclusion, and skill development initiatives.