Jat said agriculture is shifting from a production-only model to one focused on entrepreneurship, value addition and integrated value chains. He added that this shift is key to raising farm incomes and meeting the country’s long-term development goals.
“We have to transition from a production-centric focus to a value chain focus. That’s why we say transitioning from agriculture production to the agri-food system value chain. The value chain is very, very important not only from the perspective of increasing income of the farmers but also agricultural diversification,” he noted at CII FACE’s Women in Agri & Food Forum.
Speaking on the women’s role in agriculture, Jat said that women’s empowerment in the agri-food sector is a strategic imperative, not just an equity issue, for sustainable growth and global stability.
“Empowering women in the agri-food system is not merely a matter of equity. It is a strategic imperative for sustainable development, economic prosperity, and global stability.” added Jat.
Speaking at the same event, C P Devanand, Managing Director, NDDB Dairy Services, highlighted that “Women at leadership levels in the agri-dairy system is a long due recognition of their capabilities. Today we are recognising their contribution at a national level, even internationally, and this is a result of their dedication, commitment, resilience and inherent knowledge.”