Coimbatore : The Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies (CARDS) of Tamil Nadu Agricultural Univerrsity (TNAU) organised a one-day lecture on multiple challenges faced by women in farming, across developing economies.
Coimbatore : The Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies (CARDS) of Tamil Nadu Agricultural Univerrsity (TNAU) organised a one-day lecture on multiple challenges faced by women in farming, across developing economies. The Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Gender, Justice and Development, University of Guelph was the chief guest for the day.
Speaking at the lecture, Dr. Sharada Srinivasan, University of Guelph, Canada said, "Women are subjected to many challenges in the agricultural sector. Unlike men, women agriculturists have very little access to resources. If this scenario changes, they will play a monumental role in contributing to the agricultural economy."
Addressing the students of the Agricultural Economics Department, Dr. Sharada threw light on the multiple challenges encountered by women agriculturists in developed nations like India, China and Indonesia. She also cited the difficulties in accessing data of women farmers for a survey conducted in Madhya Pradesh, Udumalpettai and Tiruvanamalai.
"Though women contribute a major part to the agricultural economy, the difficulties faced by them in accessing resources and markets are much higher than men. However, if the issue is addressed, more women will opt to practice agriculture which not only will escalate their growth but also the nation's," noted Dr. Sharada. She also added that plans should be developed to alleviate the hardships faced by farming women in handling agricultural equipment.
Earlier, Dr. N Kumar, Vice Chancellor, TNAU welcomed the chief guest and Dr. K Mani, Head, Department of Agricultural Economics co-ordinated the event. Students from the Department of Agriculture Economics and staff members were also present at the lecture.