Collaborative online training programme of ICAR-CIWA, Bhubaneswar and MANAGE, Hyderabad on “Agripreneurship through farming system: a viable techno-economical approach for women empowerment”

A collaborative online training programme of ICAR-CIWA, Bhubaneswar and MANAGE, Hyderabad on ““Agripreneurship through farming system: a viable techno-economical approach for women empowerment” was organised from 20-24 November 2023. The programme was organised with the objectives to upgrade the skill and knowledge of extension personnel on gender sensitive farming system approaches in agriculture and allied sectors with an aim to promote agripreneurship among rural women and to equip them to be the change makers in the livelihood of rural women by transforming them as active partners and participants in farming system based enterprises. Hon’ble ADG (EP&HS), ICAR, Dr Bimlesh Mann was the Chief Guest of the inaugural function. In her inaugural speech, she stressed on the importance of promoting agripreneurship among graduates, rural youth and women to bring about the much-anticipated gender equity. She also reiterated the need to adopt advanced and modern technologies to cope up with the changing needs of the country’s population. Dr Mridula Devi, Director, ICAR-CIWA in her address highlighted the crucial role of ICAR-CIWA in spearheading women empowerment through research and development. She elucidated the various gender inclusive models and technologies developed by iCAR-CIWA. The training had 82 registered participants from 20 states across the country. The participants included faculties from SAU’s, ICAR Scientists, KVK scientists, Students and Entrepreneurs. The training course covered the topics of entrepreneurial avenues in agriculture and allied sectors, climate smart strategies for women agripreneurship development, institutional support/entrepreneurial ecosystem in the country, importance of marketing in entrepreneurship, effective business model development, importance of standards in modern food safety, digital technologies for women entrepreneurship and case studies of successful entrepreneurship through integrated farming systems. The training was successfully coordinated by Dr Tanuja S, Senior Scientist & Dr. Veenita Kumari, Deputy Director (Gender Studies), MANAGE, Hyderabad as Course Coordinators along with Dr. Lipi Das, Principal Scientist and Dr. Neetish Kumar, Scientist as Course Co-coordinators.