A major international conference focused on strengthening the role of women in agriculture will be held in India’s capital this week. The Global Conference on Women in Agri-Food Systems (GCWAS–2026) will take place from March 12 to 14, 2026, at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Hall of the ICAR Convention Centre in New Delhi.
The three-day event will be inaugurated by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu. Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will attend the inaugural session as the Guest of Honour. The valedictory session will be addressed by Annapurna Devi as the Chief Guest.
The conference is being jointly organised by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences, Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research and the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority. More than 15 national and international organisations are supporting the event as co-organisers, knowledge partners and sponsors.
Addressing a press briefing, ICAR Director General M. L. Jat said the conference is being held at a time when the global community is observing 2026 as the International Year for Women Farmers. The event will bring together over 700 participants from across the world, including scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, development experts, women farmers, start-ups and students.
The conference theme, “Driving Progress, Attaining New Heights,” aims to highlight the crucial role women play in building sustainable and inclusive agri-food systems. Discussions will focus on strengthening policies and institutional frameworks that promote gender equality in agriculture and enhance women’s participation in the sector.
Several globally recognised experts and thought leaders are expected to speak at the conference. Among them are Agnes Kalibata, Bram Govaerts, Soumya Swaminathan, Shakuntala H. Thilsted and Nitya Rao, among others.
The programme will feature a series of technical sessions addressing key issues related to women in agriculture. These include discussions on gender-responsive policies, social inclusion in agricultural institutions, women’s economic empowerment through entrepreneurship and market linkages, and the role of digital tools and climate-smart technologies in transforming farming systems.
Special forums will also be organised as part of the conference. A Women Farmers’ Forum will provide a platform to discuss grassroots challenges faced by women farmers, while a Youth Forum will engage young professionals and students in shaping the future of agri-food systems.
Alongside the discussions, an exhibition will showcase women-focused technologies, policy initiatives and innovative solutions designed to reduce drudgery and improve productivity. Women-led start-ups and entrepreneurs will also display their products and innovations during the event.
Organisers expect the conference to generate actionable recommendations and global best practices aimed at strengthening gender-responsive agricultural policies. The outcomes are intended to support inclusive agricultural development and promote greater participation of women in shaping the future of global food systems.
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