On March 21, 2025, Godrej Agrovet Limited (GAVL) hosted the Women in Agriculture Summit, a platform dedicated to bridging this critical gap in women’s participation in the agricultural sector of India. Setting the tone for the day, Sumit Patil, Head of Corporate Communications - Godrej Industries, who also served as the event host, emphasized,
“Agriculture contributes to economic stability and food security, employing nearly half of India’s workforce, yet women remain the invisible force in decision-making roles.”
The summit aimed to bring this issue to the forefront, highlighting both the challenges and the solutions through powerful discussions, groundbreaking research, and inspiring initiatives.
Building on this theme, Balram Singh Yadav, Managing Director, Godrej Agrovet Limited, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to uplift 1 lakh women in the agricultural sector in the coming years. A video was played, showcasing the tangible steps already taken to positively impact 20,000+ women farmers & students in the Agricultural sector within one year. These included,
Awareness sessions and veterinary camps for dairy farmers to ensure livestock health.
Annapurna meetings, providing women crop farmers with technical knowledge on maize cultivation, water conservation, and bamboo usage.
Kitchen Gardens established for 5,000 women farmers, creating an additional source of income and nutrition.
WINGS sales trainee program, where 113 women were selected from 50+ campuses across 20 locations for a six-month internship across five Godrej Agrovet businesses, addressing the shortage of women in agri-sector roles.
Over 7000 girl students of 8th and 9th standard were trained in modern Agri practices across Madhya Pradesh, Gujrat, Maharashtra
To ensure participation in higher education scholarships given covering 60% of tuition fees of 65 girls in Mahad, Maharashtra
Career orientation program held for 2,000 girl students in agriculture and allies courses in Telangana and Andra Pradesh through Pasidi Panta Organization
While these programs directly impacted women in the field, Balram Singh Yadav also highlighted Godrej Agrovet’s internal strides in gender diversity where, women now make up 12% of the company’s workforce. Reflecting on this progress, he remarked,
“The real measure of success isn’t just in numbers but in the lives we transform.”
Recognizing that education plays a pivotal role in creating lasting change, the summit honoured five outstanding young women with the Godrej Agrovet Women in Agriculture Scholarship. The recipients, selected for their academic excellence, extracurricular involvement, and passion for agriculture, represent the next generation of changemakers in the field.
One of the awardees, Sanika Kolekar shared her aspiration of contributing to the extension function and making innovations in agriculture more accessible to farmers who need them the most. She shared her personal journey, stating,
"As a first-generation learner in my family, this scholarship is not just financial aid—it is a belief in my potential and a step towards my dream of working in agricultural extension."
The scholarships were presented by Nisaba Godrej, Chairperson, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd. and Mallika Mutreja, Chief Human Resources Officer, Godrej Agrovet Limited, alongside Balram Singh Yadav, reinforcing the company’s dedication to supporting women’s careers in agriculture from the classroom to the field.
This focus on data-driven solutions extended into the launch of “Women in Agribusiness: Challenges & Opportunities” research report, a joint study between IIM Ahmedabad, Godrej Agrovet and the Godrej DEI Lab, shedding light on the systemic challenges women face in agribusiness.
The research, led by Prof. Vidya Vemireddy, Associate Professor, IIM Ahmedabad, along with Reema Lucia, research associate, IIM Ahmedabad, examined the barriers women face in agribusiness and proposed actionable solutions to improve their participation.
Key Findings from the Report:
Women form the majority of India’s agricultural workforce (64.4%), according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (2023-24).
Despite 40% of agricultural students being women, only 6.3% of them secure permanent roles in top Agri-firms, as per Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) data.
The representation gap worsens at leadership levels, where cultural and systemic biases continue to limit career growth for women in agribusiness.
The study was one of the most comprehensive of its kind, involving 780 respondents from diverse backgrounds across the agriculture sector, quantitative & qualitative analysis, incorporating focus groups, panel discussions, expert consultations, and interviews and a lifecycle perspective; tracking women’s journeys from education to employment and leadership roles.
Highlighting the urgency for action, Prof. Vidya Vemireddy proposed
Bridging the education-to-employment gap: Strengthen campus recruitment and internship opportunities for women in agribusiness.
Enhancing workplace infrastructure: Addressing issues such as safety, childcare support, and gender-inclusive policies to retain women in field-based roles.
Financial & technological I\inclusion: Ensuring women farmers have access to credit, markets, and agri-tech solutions.
Encouraging women entrepreneurs: Creating targeted mentorship and funding opportunities for women-led agribusiness startups.
The launch of this groundbreaking report set the stage for the panel discussion on "Breaking Barriers for Women in Agriculture", where industry leaders shared their experiences and debated the next steps for making gender diversity a reality in Indian agriculture.
Mallika Mutreja, moderated the session, guiding an insightful discussion with Kirti Jangra, Co-founder, Animall, Asha Kharga, Chief Customer and Brand Officer, Mahindra Group, Prof. Vidya Vemireddy, Associate Professor, IIM Ahmedabad, and Anitha Polimetla, Head of HR APAC & Global HR Business Partner - Operations, BASF.
The discussion opened with Kirti Jangra, who shared her journey in co-founding Animall, a platform connecting dairy farmers with buyers and resources. She highlighted how women in agriculture often have limited access to market knowledge and financial independence, which restricts their ability to make autonomous decisions. She emphasized that,
"Women are already doing the work—they just need access to the right tools and opportunities to take ownership of it."
Asha Kharga spoke about corporate responsibility in breaking gender barriers, citing Mahindra Group’s initiatives to provide skill development programs for rural women in agribusiness. She noted that the perception of agriculture as a male-dominated industry must change, not just at the grassroots level but also in boardrooms and leadership roles. She remarked,
"When women have a seat at the table, the entire sector benefits—not just in productivity, but in innovation and sustainability."
Anitha Polimetla added a global perspective, discussing how BASF and similar organizations have actively worked towards increasing women’s representation in sales and production roles—areas where participation is still under 3% in many agribusiness firms. She stressed the importance of mentorship, inclusive hiring policies, and workplace infrastructure improvements, saying,
"Creating an enabling environment for women is not an act of generosity—it is a necessity for the industry's future."
The discussion also addressed deeply ingrained cultural biases that limit women’s mobility in agriculture. Panelists explored flexible work structures, field safety improvements, and targeted policy interventions as key solutions.
A particularly insightful question from the audience brought forth an engaging exchange:
“What strategies can be adopted to ensure women farmers also become decision-makers and not just contributors?”
To which Prof. Vidya Vemireddy responded,
“Access to education, financial literacy, and leadership training are key. Women farmers must have equal access to credit, technology, and markets to be in leadership positions.”
The panel concluded on a note of collaborative action, emphasizing that corporates, policymakers, and educational institutions must work together to create a truly inclusive agricultural landscape. Mallika Mutreja closed the discussion by reminding everyone that,
"Women are not just labourers in agriculture—they are leaders, innovators, and the driving force of change."
From statistics to lived experiences, the event continued to humanize data through a powerful short film. It narrated the story of Bhagyamma, a farmer from Chikaballapur village, depicting the often-overlooked contributions of women in agriculture.
It followed her journey as a smallholder farmer, managing her land while facing challenges such as limited access to financial support, lack of modern farming techniques, and societal restrictions on women in decision-making roles. Despite these barriers, Bhagyamma displayed unwavering resilience, working with Godrej Foods Limited to manage a poultry farm. She leveraged community support and knowledge-sharing programs to enhance her agricultural practices.
The film highlighted the transformative impact of training and awareness sessions, which equipped her with the skills to improve yield quality, manage livestock more effectively, and adopt sustainable farming methods.
Beyond her personal success, Bhagyamma’s story was a testament to the power of collective action among women farmers. The film showcased how women like her are breaking traditional barriers, forming self-help groups, and advocating for financial inclusion and policy support.
The second panel discussion, Boardroom to Breakthroughs: Stories of Women in Leadership, brought together an inspiring group of women leaders who have navigated their way to the top in traditionally male-dominated industries. Moderated by Parmesh Shahani, Head of Godrej DEI Lab, the panel featured Ms. Neetu Kashiramka, Managing Director of VIP Industries; Ms. Ritu Verma, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Ankur Capital Fund; and Ms. Soumya Rajan, Managing Director of Waterfield Advisors.
The panellists shared their personal journeys, highlighting the barriers they faced—ranging from gender biases to the challenges of work-life balance—and how they overcame them through resilience, mentorship, and strategic decision-making. Ms. Neetu Kashiramka spoke about the importance of self-belief and the ability to take risks in career progression, stating,
“Women in leadership often feel the need to over-prove their worth, but the key is to own your expertise and make bold decisions with confidence.”
Ms. Ritu Verma, drawing from her experience in venture capital, emphasized the need for more women investors and leaders to shape the future of businesses, noting,
“Diversity isn’t just a checkbox—it’s a proven driver of innovation and long-term success.”
A key theme that emerged was the need for organizations to actively support women through inclusive policies, leadership development programs, and sponsorship opportunities. Ms. Soumya Rajan highlighted the importance of mentorship and networking in helping women climb the corporate ladder, remarking,
“Leadership isn’t about individual success, but about paving the way for the next generation of women to rise.”
The session concluded on a hopeful note, with panellists reinforcing that while barriers still exist, the corporate world is evolving, and that women are no longer waiting for a seat at the table—they are creating their own.
The summit ended on a note of reflection and action. In his vote of thanks, Sujit Patil, acknowledged the contributions of all speakers, panellists, attendees and organizing teams, reinforcing that while the day’s discussions were inspiring, real impact will come from continued efforts beyond the summit.
As conversations carried on over networking and high tea, one thing was clear—change is ongoing.
“When we invest in women, we invest in the future of agriculture.”