Shillong, Oct 15: Meghalaya marked National Women Farmers’ Day with programmes highlighting women’s role in agriculture and food systems.
At Mawstep, East Khasi Hills, women’s farming knowledge took centre stage at a community photo exhibition and film screening organised by The Locavore and NESFAS in Khatarshnong Laitkroh Block.
The programme shared work from Woman Farmer Project back to communities who shaped it, bringing together 30 community members and 50 school children from 10 villages – Liarsluid, Nongwah, Mawstep, Nongtraw, Laitsohpliah, Dewlieh, Umsawwar, Itsohpair, Khweng and Nongjngi – alongside Meghalaya fellows Ibapdianghun Myria and Queeneerich Kharmawlong.
The duo spent four months May-August across Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi and West Jaintia Hills documenting women farmers. The exhibition featured over 10 photos and a preview screening of ‘A Farmer’s Daughter’ on shifting cultivation farmer, Jasenta Ranee.
“Women’s farming knowledge lives in everyday decisions,” said Chef Thomas Zacharias, founder of The Locavore.
NESFAS Executive Director Pius Ranee said collaboration takes local voices into larger public conversation.
At Umiam, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region and KVK Ri-Bhoi celebrated the day with over 100 women farmers on the theme ‘Role of Women Farmers in Building Developed Agriculture and a Developed India.’
Ri-Bhoi Area Welfare Association President Balakyntiew Umbah urged women farmers to take pride and noted they balance farm work with household responsibilities.
Director-in-Charge Dr Pankaj Baiswer stressed awareness on government schemes, improved practices and agripreneurship for financial independence, and sensitising male farmers to women’s empowerment.
In an interactive session, farmers sought quality seeds and subsidised machinery. Progressive women farmers were felicitated and given vegetable seeds, including the field pea variety IPFD 19-3, biofertilisers, and useful agricultural literature to support and enhance their farming activities.
