ICAR-CIWA celebrated "World Food Day" on 16th October, 2020. The theme of the programme was 'Grow, Nourish, Sustain. Together, Our Actions are our Future.' Dr. P. S. Pandey, ADG (EP&HS), ICAR, New Delhi graced the programme as Chief Guest. He highlighted the crucial role of farmwomen in maintaining family food and nutrition security. He emphasized that by empowering women in agriculture and improving their access to inputs, technologies and services can bring phenomenal changes in the present agricultural production scenario of the country specifically in establishing value chains and doubling farmer’s income for leading towards Atmanirbhar Bharat. He also reiterated that celebration of national and international days should strengthen our efforts to reach out for the betterment of farming communalities and the mankind at large. He proudly highlighted the significant contributions of India in general, and ICAR in particular, whose methodologies play a major role in FAO programmes globally with special emphasis on release of the 17 biofortified varieties and Commemorative Coin of Rs. 75 released by the Hon'ble Prime Minster on the auspicious day. The role of ICAR-CIWA and AICRP on Home Science in food and nutritional security programmes in the country was well appreciated by Dr. Pandey. He mentioned that ICAR-CIWA is working on the theme Sahi Posan -Desh Rosan, which is written on the Commemorative Coin of Rs. 75, in networking mode with AICRP on Women in Agriculture in 13 states for last 3 decades and will be expanded in all states in the country. There should be adequate awareness programmes taken up by the Institute and AICRP centres for minimizing food losses. Finally he concluded that ICT for women empowerment is the need of the hour for livelihood enhancement of women in agriculture.

In his introductory remarks, Dr. S. K. Srivastava, Director, ICAR-CIWA stressed that our technologies should reach out to the farm women for their nutritional empowerment. The knowledge and skill upgradation programmes should focus on eradication of malnutrition. Dr. Krishna Srinath, Dr. Neelam Grewal and Dr. Jatinder Kishtwaria, Former Directors of the Institute graced the occasion as Guests of Honour. They shared their wisdom among the participants on the subject areas of diversification of crops and food ultimately, significance of bringing more area under coarse grains, establishing kitchen gardens and community gardens, strengthening storage facilities and market linkage for increasing the shelf life of vegetables for overall improvement of livelihood of farmwomen.

Five progressive farm women and leaders of Women Farmer Producer Organizations Mrs. Bhagabati Gadaba, MD Chitridora FPC, Koraput; Ms. Pinaki Parimita, Astaranga, Puri; Mrs. Gouripriya Mohapatra, Nimapada, Puri; Mrs. Kanaklata Panda, Sakhigopal, Puri and Mrs. Anusuya Beura, Padasahi, Khordha shared their experiences during the online programme. Scientists from AICRP(WIA) and all staff of Institute participated in the programme. The programme was live telecasted on YouTube https://youtu.be/CgQyVUaMFZA for the benefit of women in agriculture. The programme was coordinated by Dr. Ananta Sarkar, Senior Scientist and Nodal Officer.