CM says women landowners and community institutions hold the key to sustainable and resilient agriculture
Shillong, June 26: Leaders, policymakers, researchers and farmers from several countries gathered in Shillong on Friday for the International Conference on Women Farmers and Sustainable Organic Agriculture, positioning Meghalaya at the centre of global discussions on women-led farming, food security and sustainable agriculture.
Pleased to attend the International Conference on Women Farmers and Sustainable Organic Agriculture in Shillong.
In Meghalaya, women have always been at the heart of agriculture and grassroots movement. Our matrilineal society has empowered generations of women as custodians of… pic.twitter.com/Cld2BUWDVx
— Conrad K Sangma (@SangmaConrad) June 26, 2026
The two-day conference, organised by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of Meghalaya, in collaboration with IFOAM – Organics Asia, is being held to commemorate the 2026 United Nations Year of the Woman Farmer. Representatives from organisations such as KfW and IFOAM, along with policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from the organic agriculture sector, are attending the conference.
Addressing the inaugural session at the State Convention Hall, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma highlighted Meghalaya’s unique matrilineal system, where women play a central role as custodians of land and agriculture, and said the state’s model could offer important lessons for global agricultural policy.
“Ownership creates responsibility and sustainability,” Sangma said, adding that Meghalaya’s experience could serve as a case study in understanding the relationship between land ownership, productivity and sustainable farming.
The Chief Minister said the state has spent the past eight years building a farmer-centric agricultural ecosystem, with a strong emphasis on empowering women, strengthening self-help groups and farmer producer organisations, and promoting community-based institutions.
Emphasising the importance of preserving indigenous knowledge systems, Sangma called for blending traditional farming practices with modern technology to boost productivity while protecting the region’s natural heritage.
He also advocated for viewing the Northeast as a single ecological and cultural region to scale up successful initiatives, attract investments and create a larger global impact.
The conference brought together representatives from international organisations, including KfW and IFOAM, along with policymakers, experts and stakeholders from the organic agriculture sector.
Organisers noted that women make up a significant share of the global agricultural workforce but continue to face barriers in accessing land, finance, technology, markets and decision-making processes. The conference aims to showcase successful initiatives and strengthen commitments towards empowering women farmers.
The gathering also underscores Meghalaya’s growing reputation as a leader in sustainable and organic agriculture and its efforts to position women as key drivers of rural prosperity and community well-being.
The conference will come out with a joint declaration calling for greater recognition, support and investment in women farmers as essential contributors to food security, climate resilience and sustainable development.
