**Leaders Unite to Promote Women’s Leadership and Innovation in Agriculture at National Seminar**
A high-level seminar focused on “Women in Agriculture: Advancing Leadership and Innovation” convened prominent national and provincial leaders, development partners, and industry stakeholders to champion greater inclusion and innovation in Pakistan’s agricultural sector. The event, organized under the European Union-funded Growth for Rural Advancement and Sustainable Progress (GRASP) initiative, underscored a shared commitment to empowering women in agriculture and advancing inclusive rural development strategies.
Federal and provincial dignitaries in attendance included Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail, Governor of Balochistan; Ms. Wajiha Qamar, Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training; Mr. Syed Imran Ahmad Shah, Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety; Ms. Raheela Hameed Durrani, Provincial Minister of Education; and Ms. Rubaba Khan Buledi, Advisor to the Chief Minister on Women Development. Their presence signaled the government’s prioritization of women’s leadership roles and capacity building within the sector.
A central feature of the seminar was a panel discussion exploring pathways to advancing sustainable agriculture through innovation and the inclusion of women at all levels. Experts and practitioners highlighted new opportunities for women, addressed existing barriers, and deliberated on strategies for integrating technology and capacity development into the sector’s future growth.
Complementing the policy and knowledge exchange, the event hosted the 4th Matching Grants Cheque Distribution Ceremony, offering tangible financial support to women entrepreneurs and agri-focused small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Several SMEs also participated by displaying their agri-based products and innovations, providing a platform to showcase entrepreneurial talent and progressive business models.
Organized in partnership with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), the Government of Balochistan, and Paigham-e-Pakistan, with implementation support from the International Trade Centre, FAO, and SMEDA, the seminar brought together a wide range of stakeholders. Organizations such as the Balochistan Rural Support Programme, Taraqee Foundation, and Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) were among those actively participating in the proceedings.
The seminar’s broad-based participation reaffirmed momentum behind the national movement to foster women’s entrepreneurship in agriculture, promote sustainable growth, and ensure that the sector remains a pillar of inclusive development for rural communities across Pakistan.
