ICAR-CIWA organized Krushi Fair -2024 at Balanga, Nimapara, Puri

ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar organized Krushi Fair-2024 at Balanga Panchayat, Puri district of Odisha on 24 January 2024. The Chief Guest in the Krushi Fair, Hon’ble Member of Odisha Legislative Assembly, Nimapara, Puri and former Minister of Education (School and Mass Education), Govt. of Odisha Shri. Samir Ranjan Dash inagurated the programme and appreciated the efforts of women in agriculture and allied sector and mentioned that the state could empower 70 Lakh women. He acknowledged the contribution of women in agriculture development in the state and encouraged farm women present in the fair to work as partners in agriculture. Dr. Mridula Devi Director, ICAR-CIWA appreciated the progress of CIWANI Women Farmers Producer Company and highlighted the consistent efforts of ICAR-CIWA in techno-soco-economic empowerment of farm women for bridging gender gaps. She also emphasized on labelling and branding of SHGs products for enabling women farmers for effective marketing of their produces.She urged the farm women to be associated with the mushroom cultivation having high value to promote nutritional, economic and livelihood security of farming community.

Smt. Anjali Baral, Sarapanch; Sri Sankar Bhoi,Block Chairman; Smt. Anusaya Mohanty, Vice-chairman; Dr. Sumita Acharya, Scientist, KVK; Mr.Jitendra Kumar Jena, Manager, State Bank of India; Mr.Subodh Kumar Naik, IPO also graced the occasion and addressed the gathering. The work done by Mrs.Gauripriya Mohapatra, Secretary, CIWANI Women Farmers Producer Company and their team, was highly appreciated at this Krushi Fair.

In the Krushi fair,14 exhibition stalls and more than 400 women farmers participated in the event and displayed their products produced by the SHGs under CIWANI Women Farmers Producer Company. A Custom Hiring Centre (CHC) was also established for income generation by SC farm women in Mandiakud village of Nimapara block.

Dr. Sabita Mishra, Dr. Arun Kumar Panda, Dr. AnantaSarkar and other team members from ICAR-CIWA successfully coordinated the various activities of the CIWA-Krushi Fair-2024