Women Farmers Urged To Focus On Value Addition, Entrepreneurship
MANAGE urged women farmers to adopt food processing, value addition and digital tools to boost incomes, expand markets and build agricultural enterprises.
Women farmers should focus on value addition, food processing and entrepreneurship to increase their incomes and access wider markets, Dr Veenita Kumari Menon, deputy director feneral of the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), said on Thursday.
Addressing the National Mahila Kisan Diwas 2026 at MANAGE in Rajendranagar, she highlighted the need for women farmers to make use of government schemes, digital tools and market opportunities to contribute to agricultural development. The event was organised by MANAGE under the Union ministry of agriculture and farmers welfare.
Dr Menon spoke about government initiatives, including the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Kisan Credit Card, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and Agriculture Infrastructure Fund. She encouraged farmers, particularly those unaware of the schemes, to access the benefits available to them. She also referred to initiatives related to oil palm and edible oils.
Highlighting the Namo Drone Didi initiative and the role of Krishi Sakhis in natural farming, she said digital mobile applications could help farmers use technology in agricultural activities.
Women entrepreneurs from Telangana, Goa, Gujarat, Odisha and Nagaland shared their experiences in agriculture and allied sectors. Trishavanti Sanjana, a farmer entrepreneur from Telangana, spoke about her experience in beekeeping and honey production.
Sanjana said maintaining product quality, expanding the customer base gradually and seeking guidance from experienced professionals were important for building a profitable enterprise. She started her business with her savings and provides free training to women farmers and farmer producer organisations (FPOs).