Women Farmers Day celebrations at ICAR-CCARI Old Goa
Women Farmers Day
UN has declared October 15th as International Rural Women’s Day. However, it is observed as Women Farmers Day in India. ICAR Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa celebrated it on 16th October, coinciding with World Food Day. Farmers from both North and South Goa districts attended the programme. The significant role a woman plays in Indian Agriculture was emphasized by the Director, Dr. E.B.Chakurkar. ICAR-CCARI conducted a project to study the Technological and Nutritional interventions required in food, nutritional and economic security of Goan women farmers. The results elucidated from the project were presented by Dr. Gopal R Mahajan, Scientist (soil Science). The significant role the technologies like backyard poultry, bypass fat along with integrated cropping system play in livelihood and nutritional security of farm women were deliberated. Later on, Dr. Mathala Juliet Gupta, Scientist, Scientist (SS) (AS&PE), presented on Drudgery reduction in farm women. She presented details on various Agricultural machinery, tools and implements used for ploughing, sowing, transplanting, weeding, harvesting, post-harvest practices like thrashing, winnowing, parboiling etc. She also emphasized upon the scope of value addition fruits like jackfruit and kokum. Dr. S.Priya Devi, SS (Horticulture) conducted the whole interaction while presenting the facts and figures on role of women in agriculture, both globally and at Indian level. She stressed upon their meagre role in decision making and the existence of gender inequality, which hampers the women empowerment. At the end the Director interacted with them to learn about the hindrances they face in using the machinery distributed to them. He advised them to work hand in hand for progressing further. The programme ended with National anthem followed by lunch.