Bhubaneswar:ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Khordha celebrated “Women in Agriculture Day” at Rajas, Balipatna today.
Among the entire farming community, more than 30% of women are cultivators themselves and more than 45% serve as agricultural laborers. Women in Agriculture Day is celebrated to acknowledge the contribution of women in the field of agriculture, in improving food security and eradicating poverty as women’s’ contribute substantially to agricultural work force (around 50%). Dr Bindu R. Pillai, Head APED, ICAR-CIFA welcomed the guests. In her address she highlighted the contribution of women in agriculture.She also added that women should be aware of the special schemes available for them by the Government and banking sectors. Dr (Mrs) K. D. Mohapatra, Pr. Scientist, ICAR-CIFA, highlighted the role played by women in farming. She gave a detailed account of women’s participation in agriculture with special reference to aquaculture. She elaborated different aspects of aquaculture to be taken up by women which is profitable in and feasible to carry out along with their households activities.
Director of ICAR- CIFA, Dr. Saroj Kumar Swain elaborated that this institute has been playing a pivotal role in attracting more and more women into freshwater fish farming. During the past three decades CIFA has operated several outreach projects that benefitted exclusively women. In other projects too sizable proportion of women were provided access to technology, training and skill development and other support in order to encourage them to adopt scientific aquaculture practices. It not only helped them to improve their livelihood but also empowered them socially and economically. He added that ICAR-CIFA has mobilized several women groups in adopting carp seed rearing, breeding and culture of ornamental fishes, carp culture in community ponds and post-harvest processing of freshwater fishes, etc. He also suggested to the farm women present there that they can also make an enterprise adopting the concept of ornamental fish village.
Mrs Manju Prava Dhal, Director,Centre for Action Research and Documentation (CARD) graced the occasion as Chief Guest and in her speech, she highlighted the importance of a woman in nation building. She praised the women entrepreneurs for their achievements in different fields.
The Guest of honour on this occasion Mr. Basudev Pal, Sarapanch, Rajas Gram Panchayat spoke about various dimensions of women’s participation in the field of agriculture and facilities available for them by the Government to increase the income of women through entrepreneurship development.
Sri Ajaya Kumar Dash, SMS, KVK spelled out regarding the flagship programmes conducted in the villages and women participation in developing Nutrition gardens to meet the food and nutrition security. Shri Pratap Chandra Nayak President, Nigam Saraswat Krishak Club highlighted the activities of the Women SHGs in the Panchayat and motivated them to adopt new technological methods to get more production and more profit from their efforts. He urged them to adopt different allied sectors of agriculture to be successful as woman entrepreneur.
The women SHGs shared their experiences and exhibited their products during the occasion. Around 130 women had participated in this event. Mrs. Sweta Pradhan, Scientist, ICAR-CIFA and Mrs Sukanti Behera, SMS, KVK Khordha, coordinated the above programme. Dr (Mrs)) U. L. Mohanty, ACTO, ICAR-CIFA proposed vote of thanks.
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