AbstractIndian agriculture started having both institutional reform and structural adjustment since 1960. In 1952 and with the inception of Community Development Programme (CDP), we introduced what we call, a comprehensive approach by grossly conglomerating the different rural institutions for a loosely defined rural development activities. The resources allotted were extremely scant and the number of functions attempted was extremely high; nevertheless community development programme, unleashed a huge pool of activities and humongous impact as well. So, global statistics indicate that women are less likely to be involved in planning, research development or application of science than men. Statistics further indicate that women are unequally represented in science and their career progression is not comparable to their male colleagues. Why is it that the numbers of women in scientific institutions remain below those of men? Where the participation and contribution of women in Indian agriculture are not only integral but also comprehensive. Farm women are participating to tune of 70–80% in all agriculture operations. Their participations are very much distinct in raising of seedlings, intercultural operation, weeding, harvesting and post harvest value addition activities. So in this changing scenario of Indian agriculture, there is a strong need for institutional innovations to foster the faster reach of innovations to the farmers and farm women as well.
Keywords: Agriculture; Farm women; Gender; Institution; Training.