Bhubaneswar,
To acknowledge the contribution of women in the field of agriculture, in improving food security and eradicating povertyICAR-CIFA was celebrated “Women in Agriculture Day” at Khamanga Sasan, Balian on Wednesday. 
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Dr Bindu R. Pillai, Director, ICAR-CIFA was highlighted the achievements of ICAR-CIFA. Since inception the ICAR-CIFA has been playing a pivotal role in attracting more and more women into fish farming. During the last 33 years CIFA has operated several outreach projects that benefitted exclusively women. In other projects too sizable proportion of women were provided access to technology, training and skill development and other support in order to encourage them to adopt scientific aquaculture practices. It not only helped them to improve their livelihood but also empowered them socially and economically. She added that CIFA mobilized several women groups in adopting carp seed rearing, breeding and culture of ornamental fishes, carp culture in community ponds and post-harvest processing of freshwater fishes, etc.
Earlier Dr (Mrs) K. D. Mohapatra, Pr. Scientist, ICAR-CIFA readout the Preamble of the Constitution and addressed the gathering. In her address she highlighted the role played by women in farming. She detailed the technologies available with CIFA that would help the women farmers earn more. Mrs Bhagya Laxmi Mishra, Zilla Parishad, Zone-18, Khordha, graced the occasion as Chief Guest and in her speech, she highlighted the importance of a woman in nation building. She praised the women entrepreneurs for their achievements in different fields. Dr Mrs Prabhati K Sahoo, Principal Scientist of ICAR-CIFA encouraged the women to start business venture in fish breeding, fish culture, value addition, integrated farming, pearl farming etc. Mrs Saraswati Barik, Nayeb Sarpanch, Kakarudrapur Gram Panchayat spoke about various dimensions of women’s participation in the field of agriculture and facilitation of woman farmer by the government to increase the income of women through entrepreneurship development. Six selected women entrepreneurs who have taken farming as a business venture were also felicitated for their accomplishments and they shared their experiences. One brochure on Farmer First Project being operated by ICAR-CIFA was also released. Around 150 women had participated in this event. Sri Ajaya Kumar Dash and Mrs Sukanti Behera of KVK Khordha, Mrs. Sweta Pradhan, Scientist, ICAR-CIFA coordinated the above programme. Dr (Mrs)) U. L. Mohanty, ACTO, ICAR-CIFA proposed vote of thanks.