| The ICAR–Central Institute for Women in Agriculture (ICAR-CIWA), Bhubaneswar, extended technology support to 85 Women Groups (Self-Help Groups/Women Farmers Interest Groups) for ‘Women-Friendly Pedal-Operated Coconut Dehusker’ on 21st September and 5th October 2026. The initiative covered the women beneficiaries from 41 villages across 23 Gram Panchayats in Puri district and is expected to benefit more than 1000 women farmers, with a special focus on benefitting the Scheduled Caste women farmers. |
| Coconut dehusking is a labour-intensive and strenuous activity for rural women. The Pedal-Operated Women Friendly Coconut Dehusker, developed by ICAR-CIWA considering the ergonomic requirements of women, is aimed at reducing drudgery, improving working conditions and minimizing the risk of hand and palm injuries and muscular pain. Women-friendly technologies developed by ICAR-CIWA are helping to reduce drudgery, improve occupational safety and efficiency, and enhance women’s participation and livelihood opportunities in agriculture. |
| The Hands-on-training was also conducted to these beneficiaries of 85 Groups from 41 villages and 23 Gram Panchayats, across Pipili, Satyabadi, Brahmagiri, Kanas and Delanga blocks of Puri district, Odisha. |
| Dr. Mridula Devi, Director, ICAR-CIWA, emphasized the Institute’s efforts to promote women-friendly technologies for drudgery reduction and empowerment. She highlighted the potential of the technologies developed by ICAR to improve women farmers’ working conditions, efficiency, income and livelihood. ICAR-CIWA sincerely thanks to the Group Leaders/Local Facilitators of ‘Samrpita Women Farmers Producer Conpany’, Pipili Block and ‘Mahila Vikas Sangathan’, Satyabadi Block, Puri and the Sarpanch of all the 23 Gram Panchayats for extending their active support in conducting these two major events leading towards techno-socio-economic empowerment of women farmers in agri-food system. |
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