Morung File Photo
Medziphema, October 17 (MExN): School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development (SASRD), NU, Medziphema Campus, conducted an online programme to celebrate Mahila Kisan Divas, under the theme ‘Empowering women through agriculture.’
The programme was chaired by Dean, SASRD, Prof Akali Sema, who also gave an opening remark. The Special guest, Dr Pritpal Kaur (IPS), SP, Noklak she highlighted the various potential areas that women in North East can venture into and excel, while also bringing in various examples of women in the nation and worldwide doing multidisciplinary tasks and excelling in them.
‘Overview of women in agriculture’
The first session was taken by Dr Mary N Odyuo, Assistant Professor, Department of Rural Development and Planning, NU, SASRD, on the topic, ‘overview of women in agriculture’. She presented on her research work which portrayed the current status and scenario of women in rural areas. There is still a huge gap which has to be bridged so as to bring the women in these areas to its full potential.
‘Horticulture as lucrative enterprise for women’
The second session was taken by Dr Sentirenla Jamir, Assistant Professor, Department of Horticulture, NU, SASRD, on the topic, ‘Horticulture as lucrative enterprise for women.’ Her presentation was focused on the various aspects of horticulture that can be ventured into by women folks and make it into an income generating business.
In order to motivate the participants, with special reference to women folks, she also presented a list of successful women entrepreneurs around the region who with a sincere and dedicated spirit is generating and sustaining a good income in various sectors of Horticulture. Links on various agricultural funds were also shared for interested participants.
‘Floriculture an emerging tool for women empowerment’
The third session was taken by Dr Shisarenla Aier, Subject Matter Specialist (Horti), Krishi Vigyan Kendra, ATARI Zone VII, Tuensang, on the topic, ‘Floriculture an emerging tool for women empowerment’. In her presentation, she highlighted the various aspects of floriculture, its uses, demand and scope for women to generate income and sustain their livelihood. Floriculture fits in every occasion and being a sector that requires utmost care and dedication, it proves to be one of the best area women can venture into and turn it into an income generating business.
‘Women can excel’
The fourth session was taken by Dr S Ruth Assumi, Scientist, Horticulture (ARS) & Secretary, Women cell of ICAR Research complex for NEH Region, Meghalaya. She gave a presentation on the various successful women in the history of India that won awards on agriculture and allied sectors.
This was presented with an intention to motivate the women folks that no dream is too big for those who are ready to wake up and live their dream. Women have the potential and the capability to excel and leave a mark in the history.
‘Agribusiness & women empowerment’
The fifth session was taken by Bendangjungla, Proprietor, Green line Enterprise Agri clinic &Agri business centre, Mokokchung, on the topic, ‘Agribusiness & women empowerment’.
Her presentation was based on various agri businesses that are being functioned by women folks all across the region, and also generating a good income through their hard labour and dedication. These are some areas which can be focused on as it is giving promising outcomes.
She also mentioned about agri clinics and its importance as many people are focusing more on production and marketing, this is a sector that has a very high potential to generate income and sustain livelihood.
‘Role of SHG/FSG for economic upliftment’
The sixth and the last session was taken by Zevosenuo Rutsa, Block Technology Manager, ATMA, Chizami block, Phek, on the topic, ‘Role of SHG/FSG for economic upliftment.’
In her presentation, she shared the importance of forming various SHG/FSG which makes it easier to reach out to the grass root level and at the same time it develops the spirit of unity among the farmers which ultimately leady to the overall prosperity of the region.
She stressed that formation of SHG/FSG, makes it easier for the Govt. departments to reach out and recognize the cluster of farmers, monitor them and make a definite structure for carrying out various activities. These also help the women folks to come out and work according to their potential. Agricultural funding also becomes easier with the forming of such groups.
The overall programme was very impactful and empowering as it covered almost all aspects of women in agriculture, starting from production to agri businesses and formation of various groups to uplift women and bring out the best in them. After the technical session, a short interaction was conducted where in all the queries and discussions were made. And finally, the vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Sentirenla Changkiri, STINER, SASRD, NU.
Dean, SASRD, Prof Akali Sema in a press release stated that during the discussion and interaction session, it was proposed that more of such programmes on women empowerment and upliftment may be conducted, wherein women from different sectors can come together and discuss and learn and share from each other’s experiences and motivate each other, which would leave a huge impact on all women in general.
A total of 182 participants attended the programme.
