Rashtriya Mahila Kisan Diwas Celebrated at ICAR-CIWA, Bhubaneswar

15 October 2025, Bhubaneswar

ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar in collaboration with Extension Division, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India celebrated ‘Rashtriya Mahila Kisan Diwas’ with the theme ‘Empowering Women Farmers for Prosperous Nation’ today with great enthusiasm to honour the vital contributions of women farmers in Indian agriculture.

The event witnessed the gracious presence of Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare through virtual mode. He addressed the gathering and highlighted the pivotal role of women in ensuring national food and nutritional security.

Dr. Rajbir Singh, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension) ICAR in his address, appreciated the vital role of women in agriculture and allied sectors. He emphasized on science based empowerment of women farmers through women friendly tools and gender responsive technologies, skill development, and institutional support to enhance productivity and livelihoods.

Dr. Mridula Devi, Director, ICAR-CIWA, welcomed the dignitaries and participants, underscoring the institute’s pivotal role in developing gender-responsive technologies, capacity-building programs, and livelihood models for women farmers across the country. She further emphasized that this celebration is an opportunity to acknowledge their hard work, innovation, and resilience in transforming rural livelihoods.

The event also witnessed the presence of Dr. Bimlesh Mann, Former Assistant Director General, ICAR, New Delhi and Smt. Raimati Ghiuria, "Millet Queen of India".

Several progressive women farmers were felicitated for their outstanding contributions to agriculture and allied sectors. A Scientist–Farmer Interaction Session was organized focusing on key topics such as Scientific Crop Production and Animal Husbandry Practices, Principles and Practices of Natural Farming, GST Reduction Benefits to Farmers and Schemes for welfare of farmers.

An exhibition on the theme ‘SheShakti in Krishi’ showcasing gender responsive technologies, innovative women friendly farm tools, and women-led agri-enterprises was organized as part of the Mahila Kisan Diwas celebration. It highlighted the achievements and innovations of farm women and demonstrated technologies developed by ICAR-CIWA for enhancing their livelihood opportunities.

The celebration witnessed enthusiastic participation of more than 250 women farmers, entrepreneurs, FPO and SHG member besides public representatives, students and staff of the Institute.

(Source: ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar)