ICAR- Central Institute for Women in Agriculture (ICAR-CIWA), Bhubaneswar celebrated its Foundation Day on 17th February, 2017. On this occasion, Hon'ble Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, New Delhi was the Chief Guest. Dr. N. S. Rathore, Deputy Director General (Agriculture Education), Dr. A. K. Singh, Deputy Director General (Agriculture Extension), Dr. S. Pasupalak, Vice- Chancellor (OUAT, Bhubaneswar), Dr. T. Janakiram, Assistant Director General (Horticulture), Dr. V. V. Sadamate, Former Member of Planning Commission and Dr. Asha Hans, Gender Expert were the Guests of Honour. Directors and In-charge of local ICAR institutes and regional stations also graced the occasion. The programme was attended by more than 300 farm women from 25 adopted villages of ICAR-CIWA and more than 100 delegates from different ICAR institutes, state departments and media personnel. Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Chief Guest accompanied by the Guests of Honour lighted the lamp and inaugurated the function. Dr. Jatinder Kishtwaria, Director, ICAR-CIWA delivered welcome address, briefed about the achievements of the Institute over two decades and highlighted the potential of the Institute first of its kind in India that is exclusively devoted to gender related research for women in agriculture. Dr. Asha Hans highlighted that the unpaid work of farm women should be recognised. Dr. V. V. Sadamate stressed upon the extension strategies for gender mainstreaming. Dr. T. Janakiram highlighted the importance of horticulture from nutritional point of view for the farm women. Dr. S. Pasupalak mentioned that women are only the present and future of Indian agriculture. Dr. A. K. Singh stressed upon the women empowerment and nutritional security of farm women for wealthy and healthy India. Dr. N. S. Rathore highlighted the importance of women in all social, economical and agricultural spheres. He also delivered Foundation Day lecture on "Engendering Agricultural Research and Education"

Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Chief Guest started with congratulating the Institute for celebrating its Foundation Day and wished for the bright future of the institute. He also suggested that the research and technology development should be women centred and it should reach to the grassroot level. The logo of ICAR-CIWA was launched by the Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Chief Guest. The newly designed website of ICAR-CIWA was also launched by Dr. N. S. Rathore. The ICAR-CIWA publications were also released by the dignitaries. The twenty Innovative farm women were awarded with small farm tools and equipments on the occasion. The quiz competition was organised for farm women and prizes were distributed to winner farm women. To mark the occasion, a Scientist-Farmers Interface was also organised to address the constraints faced by farm women and provide workable solutions in farming. The experts from ICAR-CIWA and other local ICAR institutes had answered the queries raised by the farm women during the interface. The technologies and innovations of ICAR-CIWA, other local ICAR institutes, OUAT and other research and development institutes including women SHG were displayed in the form of exhibition for the benefit of the farm women. Dr. Sabita Mishra, Principal Scientist and Nodal Officer proposed the vote of thanks.