ICAR-CIWA, Bhubaneswar organized Women in Agriculture Day

ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture” (ICAR-CIWA) has organized Women in Agriculture Day on 4th December, 2015. On this occasion Dr Prasanna Kumar Patasani, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Bhubaneswar was the Chief Guest and Dr S.K. Ambast, Director ICAR-IIWM, Bhubaneswar was the Guest of Honour. The programme was attended by more than 200 farm women of Satyabadi, Athaisa, Alipingal, Harekrushnapur, Padasahi, Guptapada and Alapur villages of Odisha. Dr Prasanna Kumar Patasani lighted the lamp and inaugurated the function followed by other dignitaries. Dr. S. K. Srivastava Director, ICAR-CIWA briefed the importance and significance of the celebrating Women in Agriculture Day and gave elaborative deliberation of importance of women in agriculture. The role of ICAR-CIWA in gender mainstreaming and empowerment of women is also highlighted.

During his address, Dr. Prasanna Kumar Patasani, the Chief Guest stated that organic farming cannot sustain without involvement of women as they are preservers of various farm based ITKs and went on to address women as 'Annapurna' as they have important role to play both in agriculture and family building. Guest of Honour Dr. S. K. Ambast Stressed upon the Water harvesting for utilization in the agriculture

An ICAR-CIWA Publication entitled 'Gender friendly vegetable seed production technologies' was also released by the dignitaries during the function.

During the programme technologies and innovations of OUAT, ICAR-NRRI, Cuttack ,ICAR-IIWM, Bhubaneswar, ICAR-CIFA, Bhubaneswar ,ICAR-CTCRI, Bhubaneswar, ICAR-CARI, Bhubaneswar & ICAR-CIWA,Bhubaneswar were also displayed in their respective stalls for the benefit of the farm women. A farmer-Scientist interface was organized to discuss the problems in agriculture and solutions were given by the expert scientists of ICAR-CIWA and OUAT Bhubaneswar.

Opportunities were also given to progressive women farmers to share their experiences. Smt. Anusua Beura and Smt. Kanak Lata were also felicitated during the programme. All the participants showed enthusiasm in the activities undertaken and were appreciative of the efforts of the ICAR-CIWA.