Driving Change: ICARDA’s Vision for Gender-Transformative Innovation at GCWAS 2026

12 – 14 March 2026 | New Delhi, India - ICARDA, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS), CGIAR, and the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA), co-organized the Global Conference on Women in Agriculture and Agri-Food Systems (GCWAS).

The conference was formally inaugurated by the Honorable President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, in the presence of Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India; Dr. R.S. Paroda, Chairman of TAAS; Dr. M.L. Jatt, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General (ICAR); Dr. Renu Swarup, Former Secretary of Department of Science and Technology (DST); Dr. T. Mohapatra, Chairperson of PPVFRA; along with other distinguished delegates.

The event brought together around 700 participants from across India and beyond, including policymakers, entrepreneurs, farmers, students, and industry leaders. It offered a rich program of plenary talks, technical sessions, panels, posters, and exhibitions, alongside dedicated forums for women farmers and youth. Discussions emphasized gender-transformative technologies, digital tools, and climate-smart innovations that ease labor and boost productivity, while also exploring strategies to mainstream gender equality, strengthen policies, and expand women’s access to technology, markets, and finance. Thematic sessions highlighted leadership development, inclusive policies, emerging technologies, and economic empowerment.

Dr. Dina Najjar, ICARDA’s Senior Gender Scientist, was invited as a keynote speaker to share her research on the transformative role of women’s leadership in rural cooperatives across the MENA region, highlighting pathways to inclusive governance, social justice, and local development under climate stress. On her behalf, Dr. Smita Kaul, ICARDA’s Associate Scientist, presented findings showing how cooperatives in Morocco, Tunisia, and Lebanon can empower women through economic participation, community building, and inclusive governance, while also noting that restrictive social norms, limited training, and weak institutional support continue to hinder women’s decision-making roles.

Overall, participants shared experiences, case studies, and success stories highlighting how women are transforming agriculture through innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

The event highlighted key insights and recommendations to strengthen women’s leadership, promote economic inclusion, and integrate gender-transformative approaches across agricultural research, policy, and development programs. Overall, the conference reinforced a strong message: empowering women in agriculture is not only a matter of equity but a necessity for sustainable food systems, resilient farming communities, and global food security.

ICARDA Delegation:

• Dr. Shiv Kumar Agrawal, Regional Coordinator of South Asia Cereals and Pulses Research Program (SACRP) and Head of the Food Legume Research Platform (FLRP),
• Dr. Smita Kaul, National Associate Scientist - Technical Expert
• Dr. Neha Tiwari, National Associate Scientist - Plant Protection
• Dr. Preeti Jakhar, National Associate Scientist - Legumes, Chickpea