The curtains fell on the landmark Global Conference on Women in Agriculture-Food Systems (GCWAS-2026) in New Delhi, culminating in a powerful blueprint for gender-inclusive farming. This three-day extravaganza brought together policymakers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and leaders to forge pathways for women’s empowerment in agri-food sectors worldwide.
Chief guest Dr. M.L. Jat, ICAR’s Director General, declared the event a springboard for action rather than mere talk. Flanked by heavyweights including TAAS Chairman Dr. R.S. Paroda, biotech veteran Dr. Renu Swarup, PPV&FRA head Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, and ICAR’s extension expert Dr. Rajbir Singh, the closing ceremony buzzed with optimism.
Dr. Jat pushed for data-driven policies and enhanced social science research to dismantle gender barriers in value chains. He spotlighted ICAR’s forthcoming National Gender Platform, a massive network spanning 900+ institutions to amplify women-centric research and training. ‘Unlocking women’s potential through data and decisions will skyrocket farm yields and resilience,’ he asserted, calling for collaborative firepower to deliver results.
In a highlight, Dr. Swarup unveiled the Delhi Declaration, endorsing a global coalition. It pledges action on inclusive policies, resource access, leadership fostering, budgeting reforms, accountability via audits, and innovation sharing— all tailored for women in agriculture.
TAAS chief Dr. Paroda hammered home the urgency of institutional backing for women farmers, who shoulder 60-70% of farm labor. He advocated seamless access to training, finance, and markets as cornerstones of food security and sustainability.
Dr. Mohapatra celebrated women as unsung heroes of biodiversity conservation, urging funding and recognition for their seed-saving prowess rooted in indigenous wisdom.
Opening remarks from Dr. Rajbir Singh positioned empowerment as essential for resilient food systems and rural growth, predicting the conference’s ideas would shape future policies.
Nine dynamic technical sessions dissected themes from trailblazing connections and tech disruptions to youth leadership and stereotype-busting platforms, aiming to boost access, adoption, and inclusive sustainability.
Representatives from 18 nations, including CIMMYT’s Dr. Bram Govaerts, World Food Prize laureate Shakuntala Thilsted, and Professor Nitya Rao, infused global perspectives.
The conference’s roadmap demands policy mainstreaming, land rights, tech adoption, digital literacy, non-farm livelihoods, and gender metrics—while streamlining regulations and forging public-private ties.
Kicked off by President Droupadi Murmu with Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on March 12, 2026, the summit honored achievers and ended on a high note with coordinator Rishi Tyagi’s gratitude, heralding a new era of women-led agricultural revolutions.