The ICAR - Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar celebrated Kisan Diwas on 23rd December, 2019, as a part of the ongoing campaign on Swachhta Pakhwada being observed during 16-31 December, 2019. Kisan Diwas is observed on 23rd December every year, in the honour of the former Prime Minister of India, Chaudhary Charan Singh Ji who always took up the cause of farmers in India.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. S. K. Srivastava, Director, ICAR-CIWA and the Chief Guest of the occassion. In his inaugural address, he highlighted the significance of celebrating Kisan Diwas. He also highlighted the role of women in agriculture for enhancment of farm income and different marketing strategies. He also enlightened different technological options for recycling of farm wastes. Smt. Tapaswini Mohanty, a progresssive farmwoman from Majhihara village of Balipatna block was the Guest of Honour who emphasised the importance of Government support to farm women towards enhancement of their livelihood.

During celebration, a total of eleven awardees were felicitated by the Chief Guest covering five progressive farm women practising own farm innovativations from Balipatna block, three field workers and three sanitary workers from the Institute. The awardees also shared their successfull experiences with the peer groups.

About 120 farm women/farmers participated in the programme covering Majhihara and Guapur villages of Balipatna block in Khordha district and contractual staff from ICAR-CIWA.