A Training-cum-Workshop on “Promoting Entrepreneurship through Women Farmer Producer Organizations (WFPOs)" under ICAR-NASF project was organized by ICAR-CIWA, Bhubaneswar on 30th September, 2022 in Sankilo village under Nischintakoili block, Cuttack district of Odisha. The Training-cum-Workshop was attended by about 70 participants including scientists of ICAR-CIWA, farm women, farmers, Personnel from Line Department and Media Personnel.  

At the outset, Dr. Lipi Das Principal Scientist (Agril. Extension) and PI of the project welcomed all participants and described about Promoting Entrepreneurship through Women Farmer Producer Organizations (WFPOs) “Ananaya Farmer Producer Company Limited” to fetch market linkage, better price and profits. She encouraged the farm women to prepare different value added products from vegetables, fruits, rice, mushroom and milk and linking those products to market through WFPOs. She also discussed about role of farm women to build an Atmanirbhar Bharat by the help of WFPOs.

Dr. Biswanath Sahoo, Principal Scientist, Animal Nutrition explained about role of women FPOs in promoting dairy entrepreneurship and self-reliance (Atmanirbhar). He highlighted about scientific method of preparation of different value added products from milk and their market linkage through WFPOs to get maximum financial benefits. He also stressed upon green fodder cultivation for optimum feeding of dairy animals. Dr. Ankita Sahu, Scientist, Fruit Science discussed about various aspects of entrepreneurship and described the benefits of market linkage of different value added products prepared from vegetables, fruits and mushroom through WFPOs.

The members of WFPO ‘Ananaya Farmer Producer Company Limited’ interacted with the experts and discussed about identified activities to be taken up and approaches for implementing such activities in an entrepreneurial mode. The programme was thoroughly covered by the print media for wide publicity. At the end of the programme, vote of thanks was proposed.