Participating in the workshop (December 26,2024) organized by ICAR-IVRI and CGIAR was an enriching experience. It illuminated both shared and region-specific challenges faced by women dairy farmers in India, with examples drawn from Veera village, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh, where I work.
- Digital Inclusion:
- In Veera village, Uttar Pradesh, none of the women owned smartphones, depending on their husbands’ phones for limited use.
- In Himachal Pradesh, many women have personal access to smartphones, yet significant gaps in digital literacy and inclusion remain. Bridging this gap is crucial for enhancing women’s agency and access to information.
- Awareness of Government Schemes:
- A lack of awareness about government schemes like the Pashu Kisan Credit Card was evident in both states. This highlights the need for targeted communication strategies to inform and engage women about these initiatives.
Key Needs Identified for Women Dairy Farmers:
- Livelihood Generation:
- Self-Help Groups (SHGs) often lack substantial income-generating activities. Development departments should actively support SHGs, setting clear livelihood targets to enhance women’s economic independence and decision-making power.
- Market Linkages and Price Realization:
- Women farmers need better access to markets and insights into trends to secure fair prices for their produce. For instance, milk prices (Rs 35/liter for cow milk and Rs 45/liter for buffalo milk) reported during the workshop are insufficient to drive economic progress.
- Transparent and equitable pricing mechanisms are essential for improving their economic resilience.
- Diversification of Livelihoods:
- Exploring alternative income sources, such as goat and poultry farming, can reduce reliance on a single stream. However, this requires robust training, knowledge dissemination, and input support.
- Rural Infrastructure Development:
- Poor roads and limited access to schools were highlighted as barriers to education and mobility in Veera village. Investing in rural infrastructure is essential to improving quality of life and economic opportunities.
- Efficient Transportation for Livestock Products:
- Developing transport facilities for milk and other products can reduce losses and secure better market prices.
- Gender Sensitization:
- Addressing societal norms that restrict women’s aspirations and participation is critical. Workshops focusing on combating apathy and fostering supportive environments are essential to empowering women.
Recommendations Moving Forward:
- Capacity Building: Conduct targeted workshops to enhance women’s knowledge of financial literacy, scientific livestock rearing, rural leadership, and marketing strategies.
- Awareness Drives:
- Promote government schemes through SHGs and grassroots organizations to ensure greater uptake and utility.
- Infrastructure Advocacy:
- Advocate for improved roads, schools, and market facilities to support women farmers’ efforts.
- Collaborative Action:
- Forge partnerships with local authorities, NGOs, and private stakeholders to address systemic issues collectively.
Conclusion
The workshop underscored both the challenges and the positive shifts in societal mindsets regarding women’s empowerment. However, there is still much to be done. With focused actions in capacity building, awareness promotion, infrastructure development, and societal sensitization, women dairy farmers can be empowered to drive change in their communities.
Workshops like these are instrumental in paving the way for resilience and empowerment, fostering a brighter future for women in agriculture and allied sectors.
Acknowledgements
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Mahesh Chander, Principal Scientist, IVRI Izatnagar, and Principal Investigator of the project, for offering me the invaluable opportunity to participate in this enlightening workshop.
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