Special bill on women farmers likely in next session: Sunetra Pawar

Pawar also said the state is considering setting up a Gender Resource Centre on the lines of a central model to address issues faced by women in agriculture. She added that the “Pune pattern”, under which the district planning committee approved drones for women farmers with a 75 per cent subsidy, may be expanded across the state.

At the event, Nitya Rao of the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation called for creation of a dedicated agricultural development fund for women farmer producer companies to provide infrastructure such as cold storage, solar dryers and modern machinery.

Rao said increasing male migration to cities due to climate change and financial stress has left women managing much of the rural economy and agriculture. Deputy Chairperson of the Legislative Council Neelam Gorhe emphasised the need for a concrete action plan to strengthen women farmers’ rights, while Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare said her department will work with the Agriculture Department to provide technological support to women farmers.

Environment Minister Pankaja Munde highlighted the need to promote rural women entrepreneurs through activities such as animal husbandry, poultry, sericulture and beekeeping.