| ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture (ICAR-CIWA), Bhubaneswar in collaboration with Extension Division, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India celebrated "Rashtriya Mahila Kisan Diwas" with the theme "Empowering Women Farmers for Prosperous Nation" on 15th October 2025 with great enthusiasm to honour the vital contributions of women farmers in Indian agriculture. The event witnessed the gracious presence of Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare through virtual mode, who addressed the gathering and highlighted the pivotal role of women in ensuring national food and nutritional security. |
| Dr. Mridula Devi, Director, ICAR-CIWA, welcomed the dignitaries and participants, underscoring the institute’s pivotal role in developing gender-responsive technologies, capacity-building programs, and livelihood models for women farmers across the country. She further emphasized that this celebration is an opportunity to acknowledge their hard work, innovation, and resilience in transforming rural livelihoods. Dr. Rajbir Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension) ICAR, New Delhi in his address, appreciated the vital role of women in agriculture and allied sectors. He emphasized on govt. policies & schemes for women farmer's welfare, science based empowerment of women farmers through women friendly tools and gender responsive technologies, skill development, and institutional support to enhance productivity and livelihoods. The event also witnessed the presence of Dr. Bimlesh Mann, Former ADG, ICAR (New Delhi) and Smt. Raimati Ghiuria, Millet Queen of India. |
| During the occasion Progressive women farmers of ICAR-CIWA interacted and shared their experiences and journey of success with Shri, Sanjay Kumar Agrawal, Joint Secretary (Extension), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India and Dr. Shailesh Kumar Mishra, Director (Extension), Extension Division, DAF&W, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi. |
| Several progressive women farmers were felicitated for their outstanding contributions to agriculture and allied sectors. A Scientist–Farmer Interaction Session was organized focusing on key topics such as Scientific Crop Production and Animal Husbandry Practices, Principles and Practices of Natural Farming, GST Reduction Benefits to Farmers and Schemes for welfare of farmers. An exhibition on the theme "SheShakti in Krishi" showcasing gender responsive technologies, innovative women friendly farm tools, and women-led agri-enterprises was organized as part of the Mahila Kisan Diwas celebration. It highlighted the achievements and innovations of farm women and demonstrated technologies developed by ICAR-CIWA for enhancing their livelihood opportunities. The celebration witnessed enthusiastic participation of more than 250 farm women, besides public representatives, students and staff of the institute. |
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