| Dr. M. L. Jat, Hon’ble Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), and Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), visited the ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture (ICAR-CIWA), Bhubaneswar, on 06 January 2026 and interacted with the scientists and staff of the Institute. Dr. A. K. Nayak, Deputy Director General (NRM); Sh. Pawan Jeet Singh, Director (DARE & CVO); Sh. Vampad Sharma, Director (Admin./Legal); Sh. Sushil Kumar Singh, Director (Personnel), and other Senior Officers of ICAR, New Delhi were also present during the interaction meeting. |
| Dr. Mridula Devi, Director, ICAR-CIWA welcomed the dignitaries and briefed about the institute’s mandate, key research achievements and its contributions towards empowering women farmers through gender-responsive technologies, capacity building and policy support. |
| Hon’ble Secretary DARE & Director General, ICAR emphasized that women-centric and demand-driven research is critical for achieving inclusive and sustainable agricultural development. Interacting with the scientists, Hon’ble DG, ICAR encouraged interdisciplinary research, greater use of digital tools, and documentation of success stories, demonstrating how ICAR-CIWA technologies are improving productivity, income, and quality of life of women in agri-food system. He also stressed on the importance of aligning research priorities with national goals through collaboration with other partners working in the field of women in agriculture. |
| The Hon’ble DG, ICAR also interacted with the successful women FPO leaders getting support and hand-holding from ICAR-CIWA, Bhubaneswar. During the meeting, the first issue of Sashakti-Rajbhasha Patrika of 2025 was also released by the dignitaries. The event concluded with a vote of thanks, expressing sincere gratitude to the Hon’ble Director General and all the dignitaries for their gracious presence, visionary guidance and insights. |
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| Release of Sashakti-Rajbhasha Patrika |
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| Interaction of Hon’ble Secretary DARE & DG, ICAR with women FPO leaders |
