The transformative power of technology in agriculture takes center stage when women farmers gain access. The effects ripple outwards, creating positive changes that affect far more than farms and families – they have the potential to generate sustainable economic growth. Despite this potential, countless women in the agricultural sector are still unable to access essential tools and technological innovations. The resulting limitations stunt their potential and hinder the advancement of global food security.
This critical issue was the core focus of a recent World Food Prize side event entitled, “Ensuring Access to Technology for Women in Agriculture.” The event brought together a panel of experts on October 30 to examine innovative strategies to lower the barriers to technology and open new pathways for women in farming.
The event was organized by the U.S. Department of State Office of Agricultural Policy. Dina Esposito, assistant to the administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Bureau for Resilience, Environment, and Food Security, moderated the panel. Raja Rajeswari Meka, a women and youth enterprise development specialist from the Feed the Future Insect-Resistant Eggplant Partnership, also participated. The partnership is based in Cornell’s School of Integrative Plant Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
“Limited access to biotechnology in Bangladesh stifles prosperity and hinders food security by restricting farmers’ ability to adopt high-yield, pest-resistant crops,” Meka said. She emphasized the significant impact of providing women with technology – such as pest-resistant Bt eggplant – enabling them to enhance yields, lower costs, and significantly improve their overall quality of life.
