KVK Kargil celebrates Women Farmers’ Day, highlights rural entrepreneurship

KARGIL: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kargil, celebrated Women Farmers’ Day on Thursday, highlighting the role of women in agricultural development, rural livelihoods and entrepreneurship, with farm women sharing their experiences of income diversification and economic self-reliance.

The programme brought together Dr Rinchan Dolker as the chief guest, IARI Innovative Awardee Parveen Akhter and mushroom entrepreneur Husniya Banoo as guests of honour, alongside 10 Lakhpati Didis and a large number of progressive women farmers from the region.

The event focused on women’s contribution to Ladakh’s agricultural economy and the scope for strengthening rural household incomes through diversified farming activities, innovative practices and farm-based enterprises.

The programme began with a welcome address by Dr Nazir Hussain, Scientist (Agronomy) at KVK Kargil, who welcomed the dignitaries and participants and highlighted the contribution of women farmers to agricultural development in Ladakh.

During the programme, progressive farm women shared their experiences, achievements and entrepreneurial journeys, encouraging others to explore income-generating activities and make effective use of available resources.

Parveen Akhter, an IARI Innovative Awardee, said women were making progress across fields, particularly agriculture, and stressed the potential of women in the region to contribute to the sector’s development.

She encouraged farm women to adopt innovative agricultural practices and explore entrepreneurial opportunities to improve their livelihoods. She also noted that women’s contributions and achievements were reflected in the continued development of agriculture in Ladakh.

Fatima Banoo, a Lakhpati Didi from Latoo village, shared her experience of achieving greater economic independence through diversified agricultural activities. She said engaging in multiple farm-based enterprises had helped increase her income and improve her standard of living.

Her experience illustrated how diversifying agricultural activities and making effective use of available resources could strengthen household incomes and support women’s financial independence in rural areas.