Women comprise a major workforce in Indian agriculture. They play multi-dimensional role in agriculture and allied sectors. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), women participate in 48% of agriculture-related employment in India and around 7.5 crore women are actively involved in livestock management. Shri Radha Mohan Singh Ji, Hon’ble Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare proclaimed that women farmers can lead the country towards Second Green Revolution if they get equal rights and opportunities towards all resources and facilities. On this back drop, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare had decided last year to observe October 15 th every year as “Rashtriya Mahila Kisan Diwas” as per the dream of Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji, former Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. The aim of the Ministry is to ensure effective contribution of women in agricultural production and productivity including fisheries and animal husbandry and get better livelihood opportunities. To commensurate with this aim, around 100 Research Institutes of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) are working towards bringing-up proper structural, functional and institutional measures to empower women, to build their abilities and to increase their access to input technology and other agricultural resources. Accordingly, various initiatives have been taken in this direction by ICAR.
ICAR celebrated the Mahila Kisan Divas last year on October 15 th and has taken the decision to celebrate this day across all ICAR Institutes including SAUs, ATARIs, and KVKsthis year onwards. ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute is not lagging behind in this noble attempt. The role of women in Indian fisheries sector is being extensively studied by the scientists of ICAR-CIFRI. To recognize the socio-economic role and potential of fisher women for future development of the fisheries sector the Institute celebrated the Mahila Kisan Divas on October 15 th , 2018 in its Head Quarter at Barrackpore, Kolkata. The programme was convened by Dr. B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore who took proactive initiatives in making the programme successful. Swami Vishwamayanandaji, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, Sargachhi, Murshidabad was the Chief Guest for the auspicious occasion. Apart from him, Brahmacharini Ashima Ji, Secretary, Berigopalpur Ramakrishna Mission Ashram, North 24 Paraganas, Brahmakumaris Ritika Ji, In-charge, Brahmakumaris, Shyamnagar Unit, North 24 Paraganas, Brahmacharini Gyananandamoyee ji, Pranab Kanya Sangha, Bharat Sebasram Sangha, and Dr.Madhumita Nandi Ghosh, Assistant Director of Agriculture, North 24 Paraganas were also present as the special guests for the occasion. Around 100 progressive women farmers from various agriculture and allied sectors were invited in this programme many of whom shared their experiences. There were scientist-farmer women interactive sessions in the afternoon on linking fisheries related activities with livelihood security of farm families, including fisheries component in Integrated Framing System etc. The day was celebrated by ICAR-CIFRI with the hope to empower and leverage farm women with fisheries sector to bring Second Blue Revolution in the country.
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