PAU explores ‘feminisation of agriculture’ in modern times

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 27

The Punjab Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (PAMETI), Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) campus, in collaboration with the Extension Education Institute (EEI), Nilokheri, had organised a three-day training programme on ‘extension strategies for mainstreaming women in agriculture and allied fields’ from June 25 to 27. A total of 43 extension officials from the state agriculture and allied departments, ATMA, Punjab Veterinary Vaccine Institute, PAU and GADVASU participated in the training programme.

Rupinder Kaur, deputy director-HRM, PAMETI, expressed concern over the common practice of directing extension and training services primarily towards men and the contribution of women in agriculture and allied activities remained invisible. She said mainstreaming women in agriculture and allied areas was the need of the hour.

During the inaugural session, Labh Singh, regional director of the EEI, interacted with the participants. He said rural women were a vital link in agricultural development and their participation in development programmes should also be ensured alongside men. HS Dhaliwal, director of PAMETI, said: “The migration of men in search of employment from rural to urban was increasing, the role of women in agricultural production was becoming ever more dominant. There was a need to take into consideration this feminisation of agriculture to design the extension programmes by extension functionaries, accordingly.”