Empowering women to build skills, strengthen livelihoods, and lead change across rural India
NEW DELHI, INDIA | 12th OCTOBER 2026 | Two years ago, Corteva Agriscience launched #2MillionWomen initiative with a simple belief: when women thrive, agriculture thrives. Today, that belief is becoming reality.
Across rural India, women are building stronger livelihoods. They are adopting better farming practices. They are starting new enterprises. They are stepping into leadership roles and driving change in their communities. What began as a commitment to empower women has grown into a movement that is creating lasting impact across India’s agricultural value chain.
Launched in September 2024, #2MillionWomen, an initiative by Corteva to empower women across India’s agricultural value chain by 2030. This was among the first large-scale corporate initiatives focused on advancing women’s participation and leadership in agriculture. The initiative aims to equip women with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities needed to succeed as farmers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.
Transforming Opportunity into Leadership
Across the country, women are turning opportunity into action.
They are improving farm performance. Expanding income opportunities. Accessing new markets. Building stronger businesses. Taking on greater responsibility within their households, communities, and farmer organizations.
Many are emerging as role models for other women. Others are helping strengthen local institutions and create pathways for future generations.
For generations, the women of Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh gathered Mahua flowers to sell for pennies or brew into local country liquor, trapped in a cycle of poverty and social stigma. Organizing into a women-led Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) completely rewrote the narrative. By shifting from liquor to processing these flowers into premium, nutrient-rich TRIBO Mahua Laddoos, the women transformed from vulnerable forest gatherers into confident entrepreneurs.
Stronger women are helping build stronger families. Stronger farmer organizations. And stronger rural communities.
Impact at a Glance
Over the past two years, the #2MillionWomen initiative has created impact at scale across rural India. It has reached more than 795,000 people across 22 states, including over 637,000 women. Nearly 49,000 women are now serving as leaders and community champions, helping drive change from within their communities.
Beyond reach, the focus is on lasting impact. More than 90,000 farmers have been trained, over 154,000 livelihoods strengthened, and improved agricultural practices adopted across more than 171,000 hectares of farmland.
Behind every number is a story of growth, resilience, and opportunity.
Creating Lasting Impact
Poonam Tiwari, Bandhavgarh Krishi Vanopaj Producer Company, Madhya Pradesh said: “The biggest change has been the confidence of women to lead. More women are participating in decision-making, engaging with markets, and taking on leadership roles. They are creating opportunities for themselves and for others around them. Corteva’s support has helped us strengthen our organization and expand our impact across farming communities.”
Leadership Perspective
Mr. Pravesh Sharma, former MD, Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium( SFAC), Govt. Of India said; “Women are integral to Indian agriculture and rural development. Strengthening their access to knowledge, skills and opportunities can improve livelihoods and build more resilient communities. Collaborative initiatives such as #2MillionWomen can play an important role in enabling women to participate, lead and contribute to the future of agriculture.”
Sridhar Easwaran – Co-Founder, Samunnati Financial Intermediation & Services Pvt Ltd, said, “Women are at the heart of Indian agriculture and play a critical role in strengthening rural livelihoods, food security, and community development. Empowering women with access to knowledge, skills, and leadership opportunities creates benefits that extend far beyond individual farms. Initiatives such as #2MillionWomen demonstrate how sustained collaboration can help build confidence, strengthen livelihoods, and create greater opportunities for women to contribute to the growth and resilience of India’s agricultural sector.”
Subroto Geed, President, APAC, Corteva Agriscience, said: “Women have long been the backbone of Indian agriculture, and through the #2MillionWomen initiative, we have worked to ensure their contributions are recognized and supported. By providing access to skills, opportunities, and networks, we have seen women emerge as leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers whose impact extends far beyond the farm. Their success is strengthening livelihoods, supporting families, and transforming communities.
While we are proud of what has been achieved over the past two years, our commitment remains steadfast: to create greater opportunities for women and help unlock their full potential across India’s agricultural value chain.”
Looking Ahead
The future of agriculture depends on innovation. It depends on resilience. And it depends on inclusion. Women will play a defining role in that future.
As #2MillionWomen enters its next phase, Corteva will continue to support women-led institutions and initiatives, and create opportunities that help more women succeed across the agricultural value chain.
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