On Wednesday, Ramlal, a prominent leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), emphasized the importance of placing women farmers at the heart of agricultural policy development, underscoring their significant contributions to the rural economy.
Speaking after the inaugural national conference of women farmers organized by the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) in Delhi, Ramlal asserted that “women farmers must be prioritized in decision-making processes concerning sustainable agriculture and a thriving rural economy.”
He noted that women have historically been vital to Indian agriculture, engaging in various activities such as sowing, harvesting, seed conservation, and livestock management. However, he pointed out that they are often recognized in official records and societal frameworks merely as laborers or assistants.
“Women are responsible for approximately 60 to 70 percent of the physical work involved in agriculture. Yet, they are frequently categorized in social constructs and government documentation as ‘agricultural laborers’ or family support,” he explained.
Ramlal argued for the necessity of granting women legal and social acknowledgment not just as a labor force, but as independent farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs capable of making their own informed decisions.
As the All-India Sampark Pramukh of the RSS, he characterized the BKS conference, held in anticipation of the United Nations-designated International Year of the Woman Farmer in 2026, as a critical step towards increasing visibility and recognition for women in agriculture.
He described the event as “a demonstration of women’s empowerment in Indian agriculture and a renewed call for the transformation of agricultural policies.”
Ramlal urged both central and state governments to develop policies tailored to the specific needs of women farmers, advocating for enhanced access to credit, local processing capabilities, and markets for organic products.
“The reality on the ground is that true rural development is reliant on the empowerment of women,” he asserted.
The All India Women Farmers’ Workers Conclave, hosted by the BKS, attracted approximately 5,000 women farmers and officials from across the nation. Key topics of discussion included traditional agricultural methods, Gau-Krishi-Vanijyam (cattle, agriculture, and commerce), and the significance of agriculture in realizing a developed India by 2047.
