President Droupadi Murmu addressed the three‑day Global Conference on Women in Agri‑Food Systems on 12 March 2026 , urging that women in agriculture receive a larger role in policy formulation, decision‑making and leadership. She linked India’s strategic focus on women‑led development with the UN’s declaration of International Year of Women Farmers , calling for collective action to close gender gaps across the agri‑food value chain. Key Developments Call for publishing success case studies of women farmers to raise awareness. Targeted support on land titles, technical knowledge and institutional finance for women cultivators. Showcasing ‘Sarlaben’ , an AI‑driven livestock‑care initiative, as a model for technology‑enabled women empowerment. Recognition of Padma Shri awardees from Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Odisha and Bihar as role models. Important Government Initiatives Jan Dhan Yojana now has 570 million accounts, with women holding 56 % . Mudra loans see women as 68 % of beneficiaries. DAY‑NRLM has mobilised over 10 crore rural households and 90 lakh SHGs; more than 4.6 crore women farmers have adopted improved practices. Namo Drone Didi equips women SHGs with drones for precision agriculture. SHE Marts will be set up in every district to market SHG products. UPSC Relevance The speech touches upon several GS‑3 themes: gender‑inclusive agricultural growth, financial inclusion, rural livelihood schemes, and technology adoption in farming. Understanding the scale of programmes like DAY‑NRLM and the impact of AI tools such as ‘Sarlaben’ helps answer questions on women’s empowerment, sustainable development and digital agriculture. The reference to the UN’s International Year of Women Farmers also links to GS‑1 topics on global initiatives and SDG commitments. Way Forward Scale up documentation and dissemination of women‑led success stories to influence policy narratives. Strengthen land‑rights reforms and simplify access to credit for women cultivators. Expand AI‑based advisory services like ‘Sarlaben’ to cover more crops and regions. Integrate gender‑sensitive indicators in all agricultural schemes to monitor progress. Leverage SHE Marts and drone technology to enhance market linkages and productivity. By embedding gender equity in every facet of agriculture—from input provision to market access—India can accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and create a more resilient, inclusive agri‑economy.