The conference highlighted the central role of women in agri-food systems and focused on promoting inclusive policies, strengthening women’s leadership and economic empowerment, and leveraging technology for transformation.
Key discussions addressed access to markets, finance, innovation, and capacity building, while dedicated platforms such as the Women Farmers’ Forum and Youth Forum amplified grassroots voices and future leadership. The event is expected to contribute to a global roadmap with actionable recommendations, strengthened partnerships, and scalable solutions to support women as key drivers of sustainable and resilient agri-food systems.
This session explored leadership journeys of prominent women who had shaped agricultural science, innovation, and policy. The discussion highlighted the importance of women’s leadership in decision-making across research institutions, international organizations, and the private sector. Participants reflected on how mentorship, education, and institutional support had enabled women to break barriers in agri-food systems and emphasized the need to strengthen global networks that support emerging women leaders.
This session showcased inspiring case studies from women scientists, entrepreneurs, farmers, and industry leaders who had advanced innovation in agri-food systems. Presenters shared personal and professional experiences demonstrating how women had overcome structural barriers and expanded their impact through technology adoption, leadership in research institutions, and entrepreneurial initiatives. The session emphasized the importance of visible role models and success stories in motivating the next generation of women in agriculture.
This session highlighted the role of emerging technologies in transforming women’s participation in agriculture. Discussions focused on digital agriculture, artificial intelligence, climate-smart technologies, and women-friendly farm tools designed to reduce drudgery and enhance productivity. Speakers demonstrated how inclusive technological innovation could empower women farmers and entrepreneurs while strengthening sustainable agri-food systems.
This session addressed the need to cultivate a new generation of women leaders in agriculture. Participants discussed mentorship networks, leadership training programs, and educational initiatives that could enable young women to develop professional skills and leadership capacity. The session emphasized that nurturing future leaders was essential for building resilient and inclusive agri-food systems.
This session focused on economic empowerment through entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and market participation. Presentations highlighted successful models of women-led enterprises, cooperatives, and microfinance initiatives that improved access to markets and income opportunities. Discussions emphasized the role of value chains, digital platforms, and financial services in strengthening women’s economic participation in agriculture.
This session explored how policy frameworks and institutional reforms could improve women’s access to markets, resources, and decision-making processes. Participants discussed policy innovations that could strengthen food security and ensure that women farmers and entrepreneurs benefit from market opportunities, technology adoption, and inclusive governance structures.
Session 1 – Interface with Global Women Trailblazers
This session explored leadership journeys of prominent women who had shaped agricultural science, innovation, and policy. The discussion highlighted the importance of women’s leadership in decision-making across research institutions, international organizations, and the private sector. Participants reflected on how mentorship, education, and institutional support had enabled women to break barriers in agri-food systems and emphasized the need to strengthen global networks that support emerging women leaders.
- Ismahane Elouafi – CGIAR
- Renu Swarup – Government of India
- Purvi Mehta – Global Center on Adaptation
Session 2 – Driving Progress, Attaining New Heights
This session showcased inspiring case studies from women scientists, entrepreneurs, farmers, and industry leaders who had advanced innovation in agri-food systems. Presenters shared personal and professional experiences demonstrating how women had overcome structural barriers and expanded their impact through technology adoption, leadership in research institutions, and entrepreneurial initiatives. The session emphasized the importance of visible role models and success stories in motivating the next generation of women in agriculture.
- Purnima Menon – International Food Policy Research Institute
- Usha Barwale Zehr – Grow Indigo
- Meenesh Shah – National Dairy Development Board
Session 3 – Mainstreaming Gender Equality and Social Inclusion
This session examined strategies for integrating gender equality into agricultural policies, research programs, and institutional frameworks. Experts discussed approaches for ensuring equitable participation of women across value chains, including access to resources, training, leadership opportunities, and decision-making processes. The discussions emphasized the role of gender-responsive policies and inclusive institutional systems in creating fair and sustainable agri-food systems.- Dina Nijjar – International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas
- Nitya Rao – University of East Anglia
- Aly Abousabaa – ICARDA
Session 4 – Emerging and Disruptive Technologies for Gender-Transformative Change
This session highlighted the role of emerging technologies in transforming women’s participation in agriculture. Discussions focused on digital agriculture, artificial intelligence, climate-smart technologies, and women-friendly farm tools designed to reduce drudgery and enhance productivity. Speakers demonstrated how inclusive technological innovation could empower women farmers and entrepreneurs while strengthening sustainable agri-food systems.
- Bram Govaerts – International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
- Nick Austin – Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
- Renuka Diwan – Bioprime Agrisolutions
Session 5 – Building Future Leadership in the Agri-Food Sector
This session addressed the need to cultivate a new generation of women leaders in agriculture. Participants discussed mentorship networks, leadership training programs, and educational initiatives that could enable young women to develop professional skills and leadership capacity. The session emphasized that nurturing future leaders was essential for building resilient and inclusive agri-food systems.
- Rajbir Singh – Indian Council of Agricultural Research
- Rajarshi Roy Burman – ICAR
- Mridula Devi – Central Institute for Women in Agriculture
Session 6 – Empowering Women through Economic Inclusion
This session focused on economic empowerment through entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and market participation. Presentations highlighted successful models of women-led enterprises, cooperatives, and microfinance initiatives that improved access to markets and income opportunities. Discussions emphasized the role of value chains, digital platforms, and financial services in strengthening women’s economic participation in agriculture.
- Smita Sirohi – National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research
- Pratibha Singh – ACIAR
- Sweta Singh – Corteva Agriscience
Session 7 – Gender Dynamics in Policy and Market Access
This session explored how policy frameworks and institutional reforms could improve women’s access to markets, resources, and decision-making processes. Participants discussed policy innovations that could strengthen food security and ensure that women farmers and entrepreneurs benefit from market opportunities, technology adoption, and inclusive governance structures.
- Ch Srinivas Rao – Indian Agricultural Research Institute
- Bhag Mal – Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences
- JL Karihaloo – TAAS
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