The ICAR-IIWM, Bhubaneswar celebrated ‘National Women Farmers’ Day’ on October 15, 2026 at the SC-dominated Kathapal village of Gondia block in Dhenkanal district of Odisha under the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) Programme coinciding with the global focus on rural women and agriculture. The event aimed to recognize and appreciate the invaluable contributions of women farmers to agriculture, water and food security, nutrition, and rural livelihoods. During the programme, Dr. B.K. Sethy, Nodal Officer of the SCSP programme, highlighted the importance of women’s participation in sustainable agriculture, water resources management, kitchen gardening, and ensuring household nutritional security. Dr. O.P. Verma, Principal Scientist, emphasized the role of crop diversification and diversified farming practices in improving the socio-economic status of Scheduled Caste women farmers. Participating farmers were encouraged to cultivate high-value crops, particularly flowers and vegetables, during the rabi season to enhance farm income and livelihood opportunities. To promote and encourage vegetable cultivation, kitchen seed kits containing 10 types of vegetable seeds were distributed among women farmers for improving dietary diversity and household nutrition and reduce expenditure on vegetables. The initiative underscored the importance of empowering women farmers through access to agricultural knowledge, practical resources and climate-resilient farming practices. The programme also highlighted the pivotal role of woman in natural resource conservation and strengthening rural livelihoods. The celebration reaffirmed ICAR-IIWM’s commitment to promoting women-centric agricultural water management interventions, enhancing household nutritional security, and fostering inclusive rural development through women empowerment leading to enhancement of agricultural water productivity. About 60 women farmers from nearby villages participated in this national celebration.
