The Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) convened its first-ever national women farmers' conference at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday, 30 September, drawing thousands of women farmers from across the country. Speakers at the event underscored the underrecognised contributions of women in Indian agriculture and called for a fundamental shift in how society and policy perceive the women farmer.

Key Developments at the Conference

The conference opened with a ceremonial Gau-Pujan, Lord Balaram Pujan, and flag hoisting, accompanied by the collective chant: 'We, the women of India, shall bring glory.' Delegates arrived in traditional regional attire, performed folk songs and cultural dances, and — notably — self-financed their travel and related expenses, according to a statement issued by the BKS.

A significant highlight was the felicitation of women farmers with outstanding performance, selected from entries received from across the country. The BKS noted that the event coincided with the year the United Nations declared the International Year of the Woman Farmer.

What Speakers Said

Prof. Vimla Dunkwal, Vice-Chancellor of Kota Agriculture University and Chief Guest at the inaugural session, said India's women's power holds the capacity to create and nurture simultaneously. She described women as embodying both Annapurna and Durga, prioritising duties over rights.

Manju Dixit, All India Women's Convener and Women's Coordinator of the BKS, stressed the urgency of changing the conventional image of women farmers in India. She said that women farmers today, equipped with modern technology and energy, are making significant contributions to their families and the nation's growth.

At the valedictory session, BKS General Secretary Mohini Mohan Mishra argued that a developed and healthy India by 2047 was unattainable without 'Gau-Krishi-Vanijyam' and organic farming. He urged the government to frame policies centred on poison-free farming, a disease-free society, and food with 'nectar-like nutrition.'

BKS Organising Secretary Dinesh Kulkarni remarked that dignity for self-reliant and independent women farmers would naturally elevate the pride of villages, society, and families.

Who Was Present

Senior BKS office-bearers including President K. Sai Reddy, Vice-President Sushila Bishnoi, and Secretary Veena Satish also addressed the gathering. Also in attendance were RSS National Sampark Pramukh Ramlal, Sah-Sampark Pramukh of Rashtra Sevika Samiti Ritu Sharma, and several senior BKS functionaries. The BKS is a farmers' organisation aligned with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Why It Matters

Women constitute a substantial portion of India's agricultural workforce, yet their role has historically been undercounted in official data and underrepresented in farmer-focused policy. This is the first time the BKS — one of India's largest farmer organisations — has held a dedicated national conference exclusively for women farmers, signalling a shift in organisational priorities. Participants urged the government to pay immediate attention to challenges in the agricultural sector, though specific policy demands were not detailed in the available statement.

With the UN spotlight on women farmers this year, the BKS conference adds domestic momentum to a global conversation about recognising and formalising women's contributions to food security. The organisation's next steps on policy advocacy are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.