The MSSRF Biju Patnaik Tribal Agro-biodiversity Centre, Jeypore, Odisha, jointly organized a training programme on Integrated Agriculture for Women Empowerment along with Institute of Life Science (ILS), Bhubaneswar, on May 11, 2022.

The main objective of the programme is to sensitize the women farmers on their role and responsibilities in carrying out the agricultural activities. Development of skill on integrated farming system and how this farming system will be helpful in reduction of malnutrition in the region. Reduction of drudgery through introduction of women friendly technologies and enhancement of family income by applying science and technology. 80 women farmers from Nabarangpur and Koraput districts participated in this event.

Dr Ajay Parida, Director, ILS chaired the inaugural session. He iterated that it is the responsibility of science and technology to bring about rural prosperity, emphasizing on the role of women in farming to achieve integrated agriculture.

Dr D C Sahoo, Principal Scientist & Head, IISWC, Sunabeda, said that the institute trains women farmers on soil and water conservation techniques to empower them for farming. Mr. Sanjeeb Kumar Mohanta, Assistant Director of Horticulture, Jeypore discussed various techniques that can be followed to manage horticultural crops, and also spoke about the schemes available from Government of Odisha to promote horticultural crops.

Mr Prashant Kumar Parida, Development Coordinator MSSRF, presented on improved technologies on millet cultivation, drudgery reduction technologies and how the farmers can enjoy maximum yield from using such techniques. Mr Akshaya Kumar Panda, Development Coordinator MSSRF, highlighted the audience on ways to reduce malnutrition with plant-based nutrition, and how nutrition gardens at homesteads could meet the daily nutritional requirement of families.

Dr Rajeeb Swain, Principal Scientist, ILS, and Mr L N Boxi, Science Editor, coordinated the programme.