India’s women farmers reach European markets
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Jawed Ashraf, Chairman of the India Trade Promotion Organisation, presented a vision of sustainable, women-led agriculture from India at SIAL Paris 2026.
He described a shift in Indian farming toward resilience, diversity, and reduced chemical use, supported by technologies like drones and artificial intelligence. The ITPO led over 140 Indian exporters to the exhibition, emphasizing plant protein, rice, and the crucial role of women in agriculture.
The UN designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, a recognition Ashraf used to showcase women’s growing influence in India’s farming sector. Priyanka Rhushikesh Mohite, a certified agricultural drone pilot from Maharashtra, India, exemplified this change. Through the Namo Drone Didi Scheme, Mohite trained to operate drones, which now allow her to apply fertilizers and seeds using significantly less water and time compared to traditional methods.
This push for sustainable agriculture coincides with a new free trade agreement between the EU and India, finalized in January 2026. Ashraf anticipates the agreement will boost trade, which has already seen Indian exports to Europe more than double in the last decade, and foster cooperation in areas beyond food, including technology and energy. The ITPO is even considering opening offices in European cities to further support Indian exporters as they seek to establish brand recognition in the European market.
