Meeting on Women Empowerment for Agricultural Development in South Asia held in Bhubaneswar

Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Smt. Krishna Raj inaugurated Regional Expert Consultation Meeting on "Women's Empowerment for Agricultural Development in South Asia : Enabling Policy" at ICAR- Central Institute for Women in Agriculture (CIWA), Bhubaneswar. In her inaugural speech, Smt. Krishna emphasized the role of women and advocated that ICAR-CIWA should be the global leader in the arena of women empowerment. She highlighted about various schemes and programmes for women empowerment of Government of India. 

As a part of the event, the Technology Block and Women Farmers’ Hostel were also inaugurated followed by planting of saplings at the premises of the Technology Block by the Dignitaries. 

Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR), Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra stressed upon the establishment of Regional Platform for women farmers and workers empowerment by SAARC countries including ICAR-CIWA, Bhubaneswar . Deputy Director General of Agriculture Education, Dr. Narendra Singh Rathore said efforts by all the SAARC member countries for empowerment of women must come along with accountability. He further emphasized on SWOT analysis of various programmes for enabling policies for women farmers and workers. 

Secretary General of  Asian Farmers’ Association, Ma. Estrella A. Penunia along with Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh, Ms. Fara Kabir in their opening remarks emphasized on women's potential role across South Asia in achieving higher inclusive growth in agriculture. 

The programme was attended by 20 representatives from seven countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Srilanka. An exhibition was also arranged to display the women friendly technologies in agriculture.