Women in Agribusiness Report: Addressing Gender Disparities in Agriculture
Varahi media.com online news, Mumbai, March 21, 2025: Godrej Agrovet Limited (Godrej Agrovet), in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) and Godrej
Varahi media.com online news, Mumbai, March 21, 2025: Godrej Agrovet Limited (Godrej Agrovet), in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) and Godrej DEI Lab, has unveiled a pivotal report titled Women in Agribusiness – Opportunities and Challenges at the second Women in Agriculture Summit. The report sheds light on a crucial statistic: while women make up 64.4% of India’s agricultural workforce, their representation in top agri and agri-related companies remains between just 6% and 10%.
This comprehensive study identifies key challenges and offers actionable solutions to bridge gender disparities within the agribusiness sector. It emphasizes the need for enhanced education, workplace inclusivity, and leadership development to foster an equitable and innovative agricultural ecosystem.
ఇది కూడా చదవండి…భారతదేశం కోసం నివా బుపా ‘రైజ్’ – మిస్సింగ్ మిడిల్కు ప్రత్యేక ఆరోగ్య భద్రతా ప్రణాళిక
Balram Singh Yadav, Managing Director, Godrej Agrovet, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to gender inclusivity, stating, “The future of agribusiness depends on empowering women through education, mentorship, and skill alignment with industry needs. Our goal is to create a resilient, inclusive sector where women can thrive and lead.”
He highlighted that in the past year alone, Godrej Agrovet has impacted 20,000 women across the agri value chain through training programs, leadership opportunities, and safe work environments. This is part of the company’s larger pledge to support 100,000 women in the industry.
Bridging the Gender Gap in Agri Leadership
Prof. Vidya Vemireddy, Faculty Member at IIMA, underscored the paradox within the agricultural landscape: although women form a substantial portion of the workforce and academic enrollments in agriculture, they remain underrepresented in formal employment and leadership roles. The report aims to address these knowledge gaps and provide a roadmap for equitable access to opportunities.
To address this imbalance, the report advocates for gender-responsive training, inclusive workplace policies, and enhanced leadership representation. It calls for prioritizing education-to-employment transitions and leveraging financial and technological tools to empower women across the agricultural value chain.
New Scholarship to Support Women in Agriculture
At the summit, Nisaba Godrej, Executive Chairperson of Godrej Consumer Products Limited, along with Balram Singh Yadav, announced the launch of the Godrej Agrovet Women in Agriculture Scholarship. This initiative will provide financial aid to five female students pursuing agricultural studies, nurturing future women leaders in the field.
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ఇది కూడా చదవండి…గ్రేట్ ప్లేస్ టు వర్క్® సర్టిఫికేషన్ అందుకున్న GUS ఎడ్యుకేషన్ ఇండియా
Mallika Mutreja, Head of Human Resources at Godrej Agrovet, highlighted the stark gap between women’s participation in agricultural education and their presence in top agribusiness firms. She emphasized the need for industry-wide efforts to foster inclusive policies, unlock women’s potential, and drive sustainable sectoral growth.
She further shared that Godrej Agrovet has increased its female workforce representation from 8% to 12% in FY25, with a commitment to reaching 32% by FY28. Initiatives such as childcare policies, safe workplaces, and frontline role support aim to create an environment where women can excel.
Godrej Agrovet’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Godrej Foods Limited (GFL), showcased its impact in fostering inclusivity across the food value chain. By supporting farmers like Bhagyamma in Karnataka and Jayshri in Nashik, and empowering distribution leaders like Rozaline in Manipur, GFL is driving transformation. Programs like WINGS are also enabling more women to take up roles in sales, marketing, and leadership, shaping an equitable food supply chain.
Key Discussions at the Summit
The summit featured two dynamic panel discussions:
- Breaking Barriers for Women in Agriculture: Moderated by Mallika Mutreja, this panel included industry leaders such as Kirti Jangra (Co-Founder, Animall), Asha Kharga (Chief Customer & Brand Officer, Mahindra Group), Anitha Polimetla (Head of HR APAC & Global HRBP, BASF), and Prof. Vidya Vemireddy (IIMA).
- Boardroom to Breakthroughs: Women in Leadership: Led by Parmesh Shahani, Head of Godrej DEI Lab, this discussion featured Neetu Kashiramka (Managing Director, VIP Industries), Ritu Verma (Founder & Managing Partner, Ankur Capital), and Soumya Rajan (Managing Director, Waterfield Advisors).
The Women in Agriculture Summit has emerged as a catalyst for systemic transformation. Through its insights and initiatives, Godrej Agrovet continues to champion women’s contributions in agriculture, paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future in agribusiness.
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