Collaborative Virtual Training Programme on ‘Integrating gender concerns in agricultural research and extension for improving livelihood of farm women’ organized by ICAR-CIWA and MANAGE

The training programme was organized in virtual mode by ICAR-CIWA in collaboration with MANAGE, Hyderabad from 23 to 27 February 2021 to sensitize the scientific and extension personnel working in the field of agricultural research and development. The training programme was graced by Dr. P. Chandra Shekara, Director General, MANAGE, Hyderbad as Special Invitee who in his remarks explained the importance of institutional support to create and recognize women leaders. He also cited a few succesful examples of farm women who have flourished with the support of organizations. Further, he emphasized on development of work plan for women empowerment focusing on location specific technologies like food production and processing at home level. Director ICAR-CIWA in his introductory remarks stated that there should be gender equity in the women empowerment process to make India "Atma Nirver". He also stressed upon the need for development of women entrepreneurship, marketing skill, sustainable livelihood, decrease in vulnerability and government policies for women empowerment. Dr Veenita Kumari, Deputy Director, Gender Studies, MANAGE, Hyderabad welcomed the dignitaries and she highlighted the role of FPO for women empowerment.

Dr Sabita Mishra, Course Director of training informed that there were 56 trainee participants from 17 states of India including 37 men and 19 women. The participants were from various disciplines engaged in development of agricultural technologies and their spread amongst farmers. The training programme comprised of 20 lectures by covering various dimensions of gender research and development focusing on agriculture. The experts were drawn from the Institute as well as other organizations like NIRD, Hydarabad, MANAGE, Hyderabad, National Law University of Odisha, Cuttack, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, ICAR-CIFE, ICAR-NRRI and ICAR-CMFRI. The speakers covered the fundamental concepts to understand the gender, the status of women in agriculture and allied activities, roles played by women in agriculture, social stereotyping, tools for gender analysis, data collection, planning and policy making, work place health hazards, gender in farm mechanization, improving livelihood through agriculture and allied sectors like animal husbandry and fisheries, entrepreneurship development, value-chain, gender budgeting, ICT for gender equality, seed production, etc.

The participants actively gave the daily feedback about the programme. The valedictory session was organized on 27 February, 2021 in the presence of Dr. S. K. Srivastava, Director of the Insitute in which participants opined that more such training programmes need to be organized for all the stakeholders engaged in agriculture and development. The Co-Course Directors of the training programme Dr Anil Kumar, Dr L.P. Sahoo and Mr Neetish Kumar actively participated in the programme. The technical support was provided by Dr. D. N. Sarangi, Shri B. C. Behera and Er. Subrat K. Das during this virtual training programme over five days.