IIT Ropar’s ANNAM.AI Celebrates International Women’s Day with Women Farmers in Singh Village
Bahadurjeet Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ Rupnagar,March 11, 2026 On the occasion of International Women’s Day, an interaction with women farmers was organised by IIT Ropar’s ANNAM.AI at Singh Village in Rupnagar District, Punjab, bringing together members of the local farming community to discuss the evolving landscape of agriculture and the important contributions of women in sustaining agricultural practices.
The interaction brought together more than 30 women farmers, during which participants were also introduced to the ANNAM Chat Engine (ACE), a digital agri-advisory knowledge platform developed under the ANNAM.AI initiative supported by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, with work anchored at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar. ACE aims to bridge the gap between agricultural research and farm-level decision-making by delivering scientific insights in hyper-local, farmer-friendly language. By translating research-based advisories into accessible guidance, the platform seeks to support farmers in making informed decisions based on long-term scientific understanding.
During the interaction, women farmers shared their experiences and perspectives from years of involvement in agriculture, highlighting the often unseen yet vital role they play in farm planning, crop management decisions, seed preparation, and other knowledge-based aspects that support farm productivity. Farmers also reflected on the changes in agricultural practices over the years, noting that earlier farming systems required relatively fewer chemical inputs, whereas the use of sprays and external interventions has increased significantly in recent times. Participants further observed that while agricultural scientists continue to develop solutions, a gap sometimes remains between scientific research and its accessibility at the grassroots level.
The interaction also resonated with the broader recognition of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026), which acknowledges the indispensable role of women in sustaining agricultural systems and rural livelihoods. In this context, the International Women’s Day theme “Give to Gain” highlights the importance of mutual support,shared knowledge, and collective progress. Strengthening access to knowledge, technology, and collaborative platforms for women farmers can contribute to more resilient agricultural systems and inclusive rural development.
The interaction concluded with an acknowledgement of the valuable insights shared by the participating farmers. The discussion underscored the importance of continued dialogue between farming communities, researchers, and technology initiatives to ensure that scientific advancements effectively reach and benefit farmers at the ground level.
