In alignment with the global observance of the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, the ICAR–Central Institute for Women in Agriculture (ICAR-CIWA) commemorated Rashtriya Mahila Kisan Diwas today in Bhubaneswar.
The convention brought together over 250 participants—ranging from progressive women farmers, Self-Help Group (SHG) members, and Women Farmer Producer Organizations (WFPOs) to agricultural scientists and students—to celebrate the indispensable role of women in transforming India’s agricultural landscape.
Opening the convention, Dr. Mridula Devi, Director of ICAR-CIWA, highlighted the institute’s dedicated mission toward developing gender-responsive farm technologies and sustainable livelihood models. She stressed that targeted capacity building, seamless technology transfer, and robust institutional support remain the bedrock for increasing farm productivity and boosting rural female entrepreneurship.
Addressing the gathering as Chief Guest, Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha, emphasized that bridging the gender gap in farming is vital for unlocking the full potential of the agricultural sector. He praised ICAR-CIWA for formulating state-specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for farm machinery, which enable women to operate equipment safely and independently. Shri Jadhav also advocated for stronger joint policy interventions between ICAR-CIWA and the state government to secure and enhance women’s land rights.
Guest of Honour Prof. S. Pasupalak, Former Vice-Chancellor of OUAT, encouraged attendees to leverage collective group strength and underscored the need for continuous impact assessments of women-friendly farm implements.
Technological Breakthroughs & Field Demonstrations
A major highlight of the event was the official distribution of ICAR-CIWA’s ergonomically designed pedal-operated coconut dehuskers to 50 women SHGs. The innovation aims to eliminate severe physical drudgery, mitigate occupational health hazards, and create new income-generating avenues for rural households.
Attendees also engaged with dynamic live demonstrations featuring modern agricultural tools and sustainable practices, including:
- Agricultural Drones for precision farming
- Integrated Vertical Nutri Farming System (IVNFS) and hydroponics
- Mushroom cultivation technologies
- Modern farm implements like disc ridgers and maize dehusker-cum-shellers
To mark the occasion, six progressive women farmers were honored for their groundbreaking contributions to agricultural production and allied rural enterprises. The event concluded with an interactive scientist–farmer interface that addressed climate-resilient farming practices, high-yielding crop varieties, and modern farm management strategies.
