As I sit here in my small farm in Uttar Pradesh, I can’t help but feel a sense of hope and empowerment after attending the recent convening on potato organized by FEED & TRI. For years, we’ve been silently battling challenges in potato cultivation that seemed insurmountable, but for the first time, our voices were heard, and our struggles acknowledged.
The journey to the potato convening was filled with anticipation. Never before had I, a simple woman farmer, been invited to discuss with scientists, company representatives, government officials and leaders from potato industry. As I entered the room, I was nervous, but the warm smiles of other delegates put me at ease.
As we began discussing, it was clear that there were common struggles in the potato industry and one of the biggest challanges was the poor quality of potato seeds which has been a thorn in our side for years. Every season, we invest our hard-earned money in seeds, hoping for a good yield, only to be disappointed. It’s not just about the crop; it’s about the future of our families.
Then there’s the issue of fair prices. We pour our hearts and souls into cultivating these potatoes, but when it comes time to sell, we’re at the mercy of middlemen who often exploit us. It’s disheartening to see our hard work valued so little in the market.
But it wasn’t all about problems. For the first time, I felt that someone was genuinely interested in finding solutions for small and marginal farmers who are growing potatoes inlcuding women like us. We discussed ways to improve our access to quality seeds, ideas for fair pricing mechanisms, and even the possibility of women-centric solutions. The thought of developing a mechanism to resolve potato relaetd issues brought a smile to many faces in the room.
What struck me most was the recognition of our unique challenges as women farmers. Balancing our work in the fields with our responsibilities at home is no easy task. Often, we have limited say in decision-making, despite being the ones who work tirelessly on the farms. It was refreshing to see these gender-specific issues being addressed.
The convening also opened my eyes to the power of knowledge and networking in potato industry. We learned about modern potato techniques and the importance of coming together as Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). The idea that we could collectively do a graet job in cultivationg potatoes and resources filled me with excitement.
As I reflect on this experience, I feel a renewed sense of purpose. Yes, the challenges in growing potatoes are still there, but now I know we’re not alone in this fight. There are people and organizations working in this potato industry to make our lives better.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to FEED and TRI for organizing this initiative. Their efforts in bringing together diverse potato related stakeholders and creating a platform for us to voice our concerns have sown the seeds (of potatoes) of change. As we move forward, I hope this dialogue continues and leads to concrete actions that will improve the lives of women potato farmers like me across Uttar Pradesh.
The road ahead may be long, but for the first time in years, I see a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Together, we can cultivate not just potatoes, but a better future for women in agriculture.
Note: Ms Sanyotita Devi is a potato farmer from Aligarh and heads a FPO. she attended the potato conveneing along with Ms Om Kumari, Ms Suman Devi, Ms Raman Devi and few more. The narration of her has been captured here in this artcile.
Notably, On 18th September 2024, The Forum of Enterprises for Equitable Development (FEED) and Transform Rural India (TRI) jointly hosted an insightful convening focused on Potato Value Chain Development in Uttar Pradesh. The event aimed to support small and marginal farmers, particularly women farmers and their Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
The gathering included notable figures such as Rajya Shree Singh, a Digital Development Expert from the Government of Uttar Pradesh; Mr. Kaushal Kishore Neeraj, Deputy Director of Potato at the Department of Horticulture & Food Processing, Uttar Pradesh; and Dr. R.K. Singh, Head & Principal Scientist at ICAR-Indian Council of Agricultural Research – CPRI. Other distinguished attendees included Hemant Gaur, Managing Director of SIDDHIVINAYAK AGRI PROCESSING PVT LTD (SV AGRI); Mr. Davinder Singh Dosanjh, Chief Executive Officer at MAHINDRA HZPC PRIVATE LIMITED; Pratap Singh from HyFun; Chaitanya Singhania of JK Group; Tripti Singh from BKT Cold Store in Lucknow, Praneet Pathak of Agristo and many other participants and farmers, the event facilitated valuable discussions and collaborations to enhance the potato value chain in the region.
