The ICAR - Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar celebrated Kisan Diwas on 23rd December, 2018, as a part of the ongoing campaign on Swachhta Pakhwada observed during 16-31 December, 2018. The National Farmers’ Day, popularly known as Kisan Diwas, is observed on 23rd December every year, in the honour of the former Prime Minister of India Chaudhary Charan Singh Ji.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. S. K. Srivastava, Director, ICAR-CIWA. In his inaugural address, he highlighted the significance of celebrating Kisan Diwas. He also highlighted the role of women in enhancing farm income, and in reducing the farm expenditure using different technological options for recycling of farm wastes.

During the celebration, 10 progressive farm women, who have adopted innovative farming practices and done exemplary services in spreading the message of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan were felicitated by the Chief Guest. The awardees also shared their swachhta experiences with their peer groups. About 120 farm women from different villages of Puri district, organized as clusters under the banner of Mahila Vikas Sangathan participated in the programme.

 

The inaugural programme was followed by Farmers-Scientist Interfaces covering three technical sessions viz., Mushroom production, Horticulture and Floriculture and Dairy, Poultry and Fishery, in which the farmwomen actively participated and interacted with Scientist and Technical Staff of ICAR-CIWA, for knowledge enrichment. The farming community was also taken for an exposure visit to the Institute farms, and exposed to different gender friendly farming system models for nutritional and livelihood security.

Smt. Supriya P. Singh from Mahila Vikas Sangathan participated in the programme as Guest of Honour. The programme was coordinated by Dr. Anil Kumar, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIWA. Earlier, Dr. Lipi Das, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CIWA welcomed the participants. Dr. J. C. Jeeva, proposed vote of thanks.