NITI Aayog’s Ramesh Chand urges gradual cut in farm emissions, better market access for rural women

Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog

Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog, has called for a gradual reduction in agricultural emissions to mitigate climate change.

Addressing the 33rd annual conference of the Agricultural Economics Research Association (AERA) after inaugurating it here on Monday, he said that rural women should have access to markets to sell their agricultural produce, thereby empowering them economically.

“Women contribute to 34% of the total workforce. Women’s participation in agri-related activities have increased to 12%. Their contribution and productivity are more when compared to their counterparts,” he said.

Himanshu Pathak, Director General of the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), said there was immense scope for innovation across the entire gamut of agri-food systems, including challenges such as improving the role of women in agriculture and tackling the vagaries of climate change.

He said that innovations in agriculture can be fostered through an enabling environment, collaborations and partnerships and increased investments. He asked scientists to release a few climate-resilient varieties of various crops, according to a statement.

Published on December 1, 2025