ICAR-CIWA organised Farmer’s -Scientists Interface on Enhancing income of rural women through improved animal husbandry practices @ Bharat ki Azadi ka Amrit Mahostav

A Farmer’s -Scientists Interface meeting was organized on Enhancing income of rural women through improved animal husbandry practices at Jirabadi, Jagannath Prasad, Distt. Ganjam on 22nd December 2021 under the ongoing programme of Bharat ki Azadi ka Amrit Mahostav. Dr Anil kumar, Director, ICAR-CIWA presided over the programme and praised the excellent work undertaken by scientists of CIWA in remote areas of Ganjam district on fodder cultivation, goat farming and other livestock interventions. The team from CIWA also visited villages where these activities were implemented and met progressive farm women besides the fodder demonstration plots. The skill based capacity building programme under the project "Development of women entrepreneurship in Livestock and fisheries sector for promoting gender equity and strengthening livelihood" was undertaken at Panchayat Hall, Jirabadi following COVID guidelines. During the interface, Dr Sabita Mishra, Pr. Scientist, ICAR-CIWA explained the need for empowering women and important role of women in animal husbandry and enhancing income through mushroom cultivation. Dr Dillip Kumar Karna, In charge, AICRP, Ganjam goat highlighted the improved method of goat farming followed by various issues and approach in animal husbandry practices which was discussed by Dr Sidharth, Scientist, KVK, Bhanjanagar, Dr Ashish Pattnaik, Block Veterinary officer, Jagannathprasad and Dr Aditya prasad Acharya, Asstt. professor, College of Vety. Science, OUAT. Dr Satanu Satapathy, Incharge, KVK, Bhanjanagar addressed the gathering about the ongoing developmental activities of KVK in that area especially in animal husbandry. The programme was coordinated by Dr Biswanath Sahoo, Pr. Scientist, ICAR-CIWA with technical assistance of Dr D.N Sadangi and Sh. B.C. Behera. Four progressive farm women shared their success stories in goat farming and fodder cultivation under the supervision and assistance given by ICAR-CIWA. The interface ended with thanks by Sh. Mahendra Kumar Nayak, progressive farmer to all the officials from ICAR-CIWA, KVK and field functionaries. Various inputs and women friendly agricultural tools and implements were demonstrated and distributed to twenty five farm women under SCSP programme.

Glimpse of activities at the farmer-scientist interface and field visit at Jirabadi, Bhanjanagar, Ganjam