Odisha: Women farmers in the Kalahandi and Bargarh districts of Odisha were celebrated as key change agents for the transformation of the drylands during ICRISAT‘s International Women’s Day celebrations in the state. These women play a vital role in the Rice Fallow Management project, an initiative led by the Government of Odisha, and their contributions are immensely valuable.
The celebration primarily aimed to honour the leading women farmers who are spearheading change in rice fallows and sharing knowledge with fellow farmers from self-help groups. More than 150 women farmers from both districts attended the event, including 55 members from women self-help groups in Bargarh and 49 from Kalahandi.
“Thank you for acknowledging us and inviting us to this International Women’s Day event. It brings us great joy and motivates us to strive even harder for change,” shared farmer, Kamala Pradhan. “Farming can be challenging for women, but when our efforts are recognised and appreciated, it fills us with happiness. We are grateful to ICRISAT for recognising our hard work and for celebrating with us today.”
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The programme began with an interactive session aimed at evaluating the experiences of women farmers engaged in this new initiative. Women exchanged insights on introducing pulses in rice fallows and discussed the crucial aspect of ensuring seed availability for the future and its contribution to achieving seed security for themselves and other women.
Women leaders, who played pivotal roles and inspired many others to participate in the Rice Fallows Project, were also recognised for their significant contributions.
“We are delighted to be part of the Rice Fallow Management programme,” shared members of the Maa Laxmi self-help group. “It has brought us closer to ensuring food security and providing a little extra income for our households. We learned new cultivation techniques for our fallow land, which have enabled us to produce more food, resulting in a very successful crop this season.”
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ICRISAT staff provided special attention to the concerns of women farmers by sharing knowledge on seed production and storage techniques to encourage the preservation and reuse of seeds. The exchange of insights on traditional and modern seed systems highlighted unique opportunities for women farmers to contribute to sustainable agriculture.
Director General of ICRISAT, Dr. Jacqueline Hughes, commended the team for facilitating these crucial discussions which highlight the enduring legacy and the evolving role of women in ensuring agricultural resilience and food security.
“The experiences and contributions of women farmers are vital to achieving food security and promoting climate-smart agricultural practices. On this International Women’s Day, we are proud to honour these leading women farmers who are driving change and inspiring us all to work even harder for a better future,” said Dr Hughes.
