GUWAHATI: Governor Gulab Chand Kataria attended a regional seminar on women farmers and daily wage labourers organized by the National Commission for Women in collaboration with SIPRD Assam at Assam Administrative Staff College on Friday. Speaking at the conference, the governor said that India is an agricultural country and the role of farmers in GDP is very important. He said, "Whenever we speak of farmers, the picture of male farmers naturally comes before us. Due to the customs and traditions inculcated in our hearts and minds for years, we still believe that farming is the work of men only". However, he said that situation is fast changing as women's contribution as farmers in the agriculture sector is increasing day by day. Along with household responsibilities, women are also handling the fields and barns. Rural women are not limited to just cooking; they also work in the fields to support their families.
Kataria also said it is a matter of pride that today women farmers and labourers are crossing the threshold of their homes and breaking the conservative shackles of society. They are also using innovations and technologies in farming activities.
The governor also said that women farmers should utilise the schemes that the government has implemented to improve their rights. Gender mainstreaming initiatives are being promoted in the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation, and Farmers Welfare through capacity building and improving access to technologies and other agricultural resources.
Kataria lauded the Women's Commission for making an important contribution to empowering women. He said, "It is a commendable effort by the Women Commission to organise such seminars with the aim of making women of rural areas, women farmers, and daily labourers self-reliant and providing them equal rights as men".
The seminar was organised with special emphasis on women farmers and daily wage labourers in relation to migration. P&RD Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass, Chairperson, National Commission for Women Rekha Sharma, Secretary P&RD Munindra Sharma, and Chairperson of the Assam State Women Commission Dr. Hemprabha Barthakur, along with a host of other dignitaries, attended the seminar, stated a press release.
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