| ICAR-CIWA, Bhubaneswar celebrated ‘Women in Agriculture Day’ on 4 December 2024 at Srirampur village under Balipatana block of Khordha District, Odisha. The day was embarked by various activities with farm women, aimed at recognizing the efforts of women farmers in the agricultural sector highlighting their essential roles in food security, sustainable farming practices, and rural development. With agriculture being the primary livelihood for most families in the area, the programme served as a reminder of the challenges women face in the field and their resilience in overcoming them. In this programme it was also discussed about the need for advanced technology, women-friendly tools which impact their day-to-day livelihoods by increasing the production and productivity. Two farm women Smt. Swarna Mallick and Smt. Sarmistha Barik shared their issues and experiences in the field of agriculture and allied sectors. |
| A sensitization programme on millet farming especially enhancing the production of millets and the preparation of various millet-based products to enrich family nutrition was also conducted. During the programme Ragi seeds of variety VL-Mandua 376; various women friendly tools viz., hand hoe, sickle, battery operated sprayers and dry land weeders; Nano Urea and Nano DAP, respectively were provided to women farmers by ICAR-CIWA to promote millet cultivation for better livelihood and family nutrition. |
| The programme was attended by Smt. Truptimayee Behera, Branch Manager, Bank of India, Banamalipur; Panchayat Representative, Personnel from NGO, FPO, SHGs and other line departments and more than 100 women farmers. The programme was organized in coordination with Maheera Farmer Producer Company Ltd. with the leadership of Mrs, Kumudini Swain, which is active in the region and has many Self Help Groups under its wings thus creating opportunities for women to improve socially, technologically and economically through various agricultural activities. Dr. Lipi Das, Mr. Atul Chetan Hemrom and Ms. Sriyadarshini Mohapatra of ICAR-CIWA successfully coordinated the programme. |
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