Women comprise a major workforce in Indian agriculture. They play a multi-dimensional role in agriculture and allied sectors. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), women participate in 48 percent of agriculture-related employment in India and around 7.5 crore women are actively involved in livestock management.
Mahila Kisan Diwas was celebrated at ICAR Institutes and Krishi Vigyan Kendras across the country to recognize the contribution of women in Agriculture on 15 October.
At ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore around 100 progressive women farmers from various agriculture and allied sectors were invited for the celebration many of whom shared their experiences. Swami Vishwamayanandaji, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, Sargachhi, Murshidabad was the Chief Guest of the occasion.
The interactive session was also organized to link fisheries related activities with livelihood security of farm families, including fisheries component in Integrated Framing System etc. The day was celebrated by ICAR-CIFRI with the hope to empower and leverage farm women with fisheries sector to bring Second Blue Revolution in the country.
At ICAR- National Institute of Research on Jute & Allied Fibre Technology, Kolkata around 43 farmers from three different districts- Nadia, 24 Parganas-South and Hooghly participated in the programme. Women farmers visited different departments, products, and technologies developed by ICAR-NIRJAFT, and were benefited through live demonstration video and processing of natural fibres for yarn, fabric and handmade paper making.
At Krishi Vigyan Kendra, ICAR-IISR, Lucknow, Dr. A.D. Pathak highlighted that the participation of women in agriculture is well-known since time immemorial. He highlighted that female farm worker used to face several inequalities. In spite of working for longer hours, they are being paid lesser than their counterparts. The ICAR-IISR has developed a number of women-friendly implements to reduce their drudgeries in sugarcane cultivation. Dr. Pathak also urged farm women to form SHGs and install jaggery making plant and earn good profit. He also appreciated the work of women who are adopting vegetable cultivation on their roof tops.
On this occasion, several farm women were honored for their outstanding contribution in the field of agriculture.
