21 Sep 2024 Gender equality and climate action: building resilient agriculture in India Agriculture is the backbone of India's economy, with over half of the population engaged in farming. However, climate change poses a significant threat to this sector, especially for the small and marginal farmers who make up 80 percent of the farming community. FAO, in close collaboration with the Government of India, is implementing the project “Green-Agriculture: Transforming Indian agriculture for global environmental benefits and the conservation of critical biodiversity and forest landscapes” (GCP/IND/183/GFF). By adopting an integrated and holistic approach, the project seeks to create resilient agricultural communities and sector that can withstand climate variability and long-term climate impacts. This project emphasises gender equality goals. Women, who play a crucial role in agriculture, are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. In rural India, many women rely on natural resources for fuel, fodder and food, making them severely affected by climate change. Existing gender inequalities limit their participation in decision-making, capacity-building opportunities and representation in agricultural institutions and knowledge management systems. The project is fully dedicated to improving the status of women by integrating gender aspects throughout project activities, ensuring women can equitably benefit. A gender-responsive situational analysis, conducted during the formulation and inception phases, enables the project to understand the specific needs of women and men, and to develop strategies accordingly. For instance, the Farmer Field Schools (FFS) and other ground-level interventions have been designed with gender-specific considerations, ensuring women are meaningfully engaged in strategies and investments. Ms Sadhna Devi, the Head of Kasand Village in Uttarakhand shared, “As part of the FFS, we received tools that have been very useful in reducing our workload, making farming activities easier, which are otherwise very laborious and time-consuming.” Other interventions include regular awareness campaigns, capacity-building training, discussions and policy dialogues involving key project stakeholders in the targeted areas, creating a conducive environment for gender equality outcomes. These gender mainstreaming efforts have led to successful participation, with 55 percent of participants being women. Through these efforts, the project not only aims to transform India's agricultural landscape but also to achieve broader environmental and social goals. The focus on women's empowerment is expected to lead to lasting improvements in their status and access to resources, ultimately contributing to more resilient and equitable communities. Newsletter: Click here