Page 31 - NIS ENGLISH 1-15 May, 2026

New India and
Women-led
Leadership
Cover Story
Nari Shakti in Agriculture Sector

In an agriculture-based country like India, a large part of the rural economy depends on the
labour, skills, and dedication of women. Women play an active role in numerous agricultural
tasks, such as sowing, weeding, harvesting, animal husbandry, seed preservation, and food
processing. Therefore, through technical training, a specialised group of women is being
empowered, and new opportunities for income generation are opening up for them.

Opportunities Galore Nari Shakti in Agriculture Sector
n Whether it involves crop
cultivation in the fields or 11.61 lakh+
animal husbandry, today, there ₹2,377crore
are opportunities aplenty for the Women farmers have Rupees have been provided
daughters of our villages. been trained under the to support 8,190 women-led
Agricultural Technology projects under the Agriculture
n In villages today, 'Namo Drone Management Agency Infrastructure Fund (AIF) as
Didis' are spearheading modern scheme as of Feb 26. of Feb 28, 2025.
methods for the spraying of
fertilisers and pesticides. FPO Scheme
n 70,000 'Krishi Sakhis' are ready n Under the 10,000 FPO Scheme (by February
to provide training to farmers 2026): Each FPO's Board of Directors must
regarding natural farming include at least one female member.
practices. n 1,175 FPOs feature 100% women
1,094 shareholders, while 1,084 FPOs have between
50% and 99% women members.
Drones have been
distributed to women’s ₹1.01+ has been distributed to women
Self-Help Groups beneficiaries under the PM-
(SHGs), including 500 Lakh Crore KISAN scheme since its
drones distributed inception.
under the ‘Namo
Drone Didi’ 15,000 Drones are set to be provided
initiative. to women’s SHGs under ‘Namo
Drone Didi’ scheme.

(IMF), achieving gender parity in workforce participation This is precisely why, today, approximately one-quarter
could boost India's GDP by 27 percent. Furthermore, if 50 of India's space scientists are women. Behind the success
percent of skilled women were to join the workforce, the of flagship programs such as Chandrayaan, Gaganyaan, and
growth rate could rise by 1.5 percent, reaching 9 percent the Mars mission lie the talent and hard work of women
annually. In this 'New India,' recognizing the imperative need scientists. In the civil aviation sector, India ranks among the
to integrate women into the labor force, the Central Govern- nations with the highest percentage of female pilots. More-
ment is continuously launching new initiatives—backed by over, women pilots are now flying combat aircraft within the
renewed resolve—to ensure women are provided with equal Indian Air Force. Across all branches of the Armed Forces,
opportunities and a safe environment. When dedication women officers are increasingly being deployed in opera-
and perseverance are coupled with a resolve, and a spirit of tional roles and on combat fronts. Over the past 10 years,
empathy and inclusiveness embraces all humanity, a new the number of women officers in the Indian Armed Forces
era is born—a new dawn breaks. "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, has increased nearly fourfold, rising from 3,000 to over
Sabka Vishwas, aur Sabka Prayas"- this very spirit of collec- 11,000. Today, women are serving the nation in key leader-
tive vitality is what is surging forth today, during the 'Amrit ship positions such as fighter pilots, Lieutenant Generals,
Kaal' for the New India. and Unit Commanders. The opening of the doors of Sainik

May 01-15, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 29