From Our Correspondent
TURA, April 1: A regional workshop on ‘Empowering Farm Families of NER through Export-Oriented Agriculture: Strategies for Sustainable Development’ was held at the College of Community Science, All Agricultural University (Imphal), Tura, on March 28.
Organised by the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Women in Agriculture, the workshop aimed to promote export-oriented agriculture among farm families in the North Eastern Region (NER).
The event began with the registration of farmers and participants, followed by the inauguration, prayer and lighting of the lamp by dignitaries.
Dr. Namita Singh, Professor and Unit Coordinator of AICRP-WIA, CCS, Tura, delivered the welcome address.
On the other hand, Dr. Jyoti V. Vastrad, Dean of CCS, Tura, while addressing the gathering as the chief guest, highlighting prospects and opportunities for farmers and farm women in NER’s export-oriented agriculture sector.
On the occasion, Padma Shri awardee Nanadro B. Marak, a farmer from West Garo Hills, was felicitated for his contributions to agriculture.
Farmers and farm women were also provided with vermibeds for organic manure production from farm and kitchen waste by KVK, CAU-I, East Garo Hills.
Special invitees included Dipin, Senior Consultant at Agri PMU, who shared his experiences in motivating and establishing farmers as successful entrepreneurs in the state. Dr. Binodini Sethi, Professor (ABM), CPGS-AS, CAU, Umiam, highlighted the challenges and opportunities for unlocking export potential in NER.
The workshop featured sessions on strategies for supporting women farmers and entrepreneurs in the export sector, conducted by Nilesh Trivedy, Assistant Director, MSME, Indore, MP. The contribution of AICRP in empowering farm women through technological interventions and entrepreneurship development was highlighted by Dr. Namita Singh.
Several experts, including Dr. Hussain (KVK, CAU-I, East Garo Hills) and Dr. Monica Singh (Senior Scientist & Head, KVK, West Garo Hills), chaired discussions on strategies for supporting women farmers in the export sector.
Additional discussions covered daily activity profiles of farm women, capacity-building initiatives, and training programs for livelihood enhancement, presented by experts such as Dr. Bijaya Laxmi Sahu, Dr. Puspita Das, Dr. Kavita Bisht, and Dr. Anupama Mishra from AICRP.