UN & Norway Team up to Help Indian Women Farmers

In an effort to increase the resilience of women smallholder farmers in Assam (India), the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in India and the Norwegian Government have created an initiative to address the challenges posed by climate change.

The agreement, signed on November 15, is headed by Ms. Elisabeth Faure, the World Food Programme's Representative and Country Director in India, and Ms. Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, Norway's Minister of International Development, and seeks to empower women in Assam in the face of climate hazards. The project will work together with the state government to educate flexible agricultural practices, diversification, and livelihood growth initiatives to smallholder farmers.

Assam is vulnerable to weather extremes ranging from excessive rainfall to drought-like conditions due to its heavy reliance on agriculture and big rural population. The purpose of the program is to pioneer unique and scalable climate-resilient agriculture practices while simultaneously stimulating South-South learning and global application.

The program draws attention to the unique vulnerabilities that women in the region face as a result of societal processes such as the collapse of the matrilineal system and the prevailing patriarchy. Despite their important role in agriculture, women farmers, who account for 29% of the workforce, are disproportionately exposed to climate change.

Ms. Anne emphasized Norway's commitment to supporting communities, particularly women, in safeguarding their livelihoods against the mounting consequences of climate change. Working with several departments in Assam as well as local organizations, as well as developing women's self-help groups and federations, is part of the connection. Furthermore, WFP will use the knowledge of the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research to build climate-neutral and resilient agricultural systems, which will contribute to the region's broader goal of sustainable agriculture.