| ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture (ICAR-CIWA), Bhubaneswar organized a 3-days training programme on ‘Women-led Community Entrepreneurship on Bio-resource Production for Sustainable Agriculture’ at Sodhua, Balipatna, Khordha for 50 SC women farmers during 24-26 July 2024. The programme was designed for 50 SC women farmers, focusing on empowering them with knowledge and skills in organic farming practices and agri-entrepreneurship. The training covered a range of topics, including the preparation of organic inputs, innovative entrepreneurial approaches, and sustainable farming practices. Participants were also engaged in hands-on training sessions on vermicomposting and the preparation of various bio-formulations such as jeevamrut, beejamrut, and botanical concoctions. To initiate commercial production of bio-formulations at Balipatna block, two Women Farmers’ Interest Groups -Sodhua Organics and Dhanahara Organics have been earlier formed by ICAR-CIWA. On this occasion a ‘Women-led Community Bio-resource Production unit’ was established by ICAR-CIWA at Sodhua, Balipatna in the premises of Darabar Sahitya Sansad. The Community Bio-resource Production unit is equipped with facilities for preparation of various bio-formulations and aims at mass scale production of bio-formulation with active participation of farm women. Additionally, to initiate cluster production of vermicomposting in villages Sodhua, Dhanahara, Aitalanga, Sanamachhapur of Balipatna, 150 vermibeds, garden trolleys, hand sparyer, rose can and other minor tools were also distributed. This distribution aims to enhance the production capabilities of the local women farmers and promote the widespread adoption of vermicomposting techniques. Such initiatives by ICAR-CIWA led by a group of Scientists-Dr. Ankita Sahu, Dr. Sukanta Kumar Sarangi, Dr. Lipi Das and Dr. Laxmipriya Sahoo are aimed at empowering and promoting entrepreneurship of resource poor farm women and farm families in field of Natural and chemical-free farming. |
