ICAR- CIWA observed "Women in Agriculture Day" on 4th December 2018 in Satyabadi block of Puri district. The programme started with Welcome address by Mrs. Geeta Saha followed by lighting of lamp by the Director of the Institute Dr. S.K. Srivastava and other guests. Dr. Jyoti Nayak, Nodal, Women in Agriculture Day presented the objective of the day which is dedicated to bring recognition to women farmer for their involvement and significant contributions made in agriculture and allied fields. Mrs. Binati Parida, Samiti Sabhya of Satyabadi block, advised other women farmers to generate income through involvement in family farming at small scale level and also shared her own experience which was brought about through collaboration with ICAR-CIWA. Mr. Kalu Charan Das, Ward Member assured his full support and coordination in different agri-horti based activities by women farmers.

Dr, Lipi Das, Head of the Division of Gender, Family and Community Studies in her address stressed upon the need of skill-based capacity building programmes for women farmers and also explained the importance, necessity and advantages of forming women groups which would give them access to credit facilities leading to more visibility of women involved in farming sector. During the presidential address, Dr. S.K. Srivastava, Director, ICAR-CIWA expressed his gratitude to the women farmers and appreciated their significant contribution in various farming sectors. He gave insight on various government schemes which could help women farmers increase their incomes in line with the vision of Honourable Prime Minister of doubling the farmers income by 2022. He ensured the cooperation from ICAR-CIWA at all times for the socio-economic upliftment of women farmers.

The women farmers shared their experiences and expressed their constraints in performing their roles in farming activities and also a quiz competition was conducted among the participating women farmers. At the end vote of thanks was proposed by Sh. Atul Chetan Hemrom Technical Assistant, ICAR-CIWA. The above programme was attended by more than 160 women farmers and officers from line department and staff from ICAR-CIWA. Subrat Kumar Das, Technical Assistant, ICAR-CIWA was involved in registration and photography during the programme.