Women constitute 70% of agri sector workforce in Nagaland

Various kinds of seeds being displayed during the Nagaland women farmers convention as part of the celebration of International Day of Rural Women in Kohima on October 15 under the theme “Sustainable infrastructure and services for the empowerment of rural women and girls.” It was organized by Mahila Kisan Adhikaar Manch (MAKAAM) Nagaland in association with the Department of Agriculture, Horticulture, NSRLM, SIRD and RD. (Morung Photos)

 

Women farmers’ convention discusses their rights, entitlements and livelihood 

 

Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 15 

Under the theme, “Sustainable infrastructure and services for the empowerment of rural women and girls,” Nagaland women farmers convention as part of the celebration of International Day of Rural Women took place here today at SIRD Hall.

It was organized by Mahila Kisan Adhikaar Manch (MAKAAM) Nagaland in association with department of agriculture, horticulture, NSRLM, SIRD and RD.

The event was marked by penal discussions on “Rights & entitlements of women farmers” with special reference to “Women Farmers & Livelihoods” and “Women Farmers & Access to Markets.”
Photo exhibition on farming activities and seed display also marked the occasion.

 

Backbone of the state’s economy
N Hushili Sema, principal secretary for agriculture Nagaland lauded Naga women’s effort and contribution in agriculture activities in the state said that they constitute 70% of workforce the sector.

Women are backbone of the state’s economy, she added. 
In her introductory note, Khesheli Chishi, NWIN/MAAKAM Nagaland said that rural women play a crucial role in ensuring food and nutrition security for both rural and urban communities; improving rural livelihoods; and overall well being of their communities.

In rural India, more than 80% of women in rural India/depend on agriculture for their livelihoods yet they remain disproportionately affected by poverty, exclusion, and affects of environmental and climate change, she said.

 

‘Invisible’
In the context of Nagaland, farmers particularly women have been playing a significant role in the conservation of genetic agro-biodiversity through traditional forest based agricultural practices, jhum and terrace agriculture, homestead gardening, seed saving and sharing, she said.

She said that 65.2% and 7.3% of female workers in rural Nagaland constitute the cultivators and agricultural workers respectively, outnumbering male cultivators (47.4%) and male agricultural labourers (5.8%) as per 2011 Census.
“However, women farmers remain invisible in their identity as farmers. Despite progress on many fronts, due to structural barriers and discriminatory social norms, they lack equal access to and control of productive resources and assets in rural areas - their voice, agency and representation in the political and economic spheres hindered,” she added.

Access to infrastructure, services and social protection also remains a huge challenge, she said.

On October 15, the UN commemorated the International day of rural women, under the theme, "Sustainable infrastructure and services for empowerment of rural women and girls", which places empowerment of rural women at the heart of fulfilling the vision of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

On the same day, India also commemorated the National Women Farmers' Day (Rashtriya Mahila Kisan Diwas) to recognize the contribution and role of women in agriculture and it is in this context, Nagaland MAKAAM (Forum For Women Farmers' Rights) undertook Nagaland Women Farmers Convention.

Around 100 rural women farmers from all districts of Nagaland and government agencies converged during the event with the objectives to create a platform for women farmers to share their experiences, needs and concerns.

 

Women Farmers' Market Day
Meanwhile, Women Farmers' Market Day will be held on October 16 at High School Junction Kohima from 6::00 AM onwards in commemoration of World Food Day.

This day aim to provide a market for women to promote local and organic food.

Visiting dignitary Rukmini Rao, MAKAAM NFT member highlighted the contribution of women farmers in providing nutritious food and feeding the county.

She expressed pain to see that the street vendors selling agriculture produces without proper shed in the state capital Kohima. Rao viewed that women farmer need a safe place and to ensure that they sell agriculture produces with dignity.

Rao also stressed on the need to constitute council of thier welfare to help address various issues.

Further, she urged the government to assist and work together with women farmers, adding that technical knowledge need to be imparted to them.