ICAR -Central Institute for Women in Agriculture (ICAR-CIWA) is an unique research institute has the mandate of carrying out research exclusively on gender issues in agriculture. Since its inception, the institute has been working on different thematic areas, an important area being improving work efficiency and reducing drudgery of farm women . During few years of its existence, the ICAR-CIWA has evaluated, refined and developed a number of farm tools and equipment with women perspective. The institute is also engaged in advocacy for sensitizing R & D practitioners on the issue of drudgery and promoting women friendly equipment. The support of ICAR is greatly acknowledged for sanctioning the AICRP on Ergonomics and Safety in Agriculture, centre at ICAR-CIWA Bhubaneswar on 25 November,2017. The mandate of this scheme is, “Application of ergonomical principles and anthropometric data for increasing productivity, reducing drudgery, and minimizing accidents and occupational health problems of workers in agriculture and allied sectors. The AICRP on ESA will be definitely helpful in carrying out a vast pool of scientific research on ergonomic in the field of drudgery reducing option for farm women to increase their work efficiency and productivity.

The annual review meeting and future road mapping of the work done for AICRP on ESA was organised at ICAR-CIWA on 3 July, 2018 under the chairmanship of Dr. S. K Srivastava, Director ICAR-CIWA . Dr. K. N Agarwal, (PC, AICRP on ESA) , Prof. S K Mohanty, Professor & PI, AICRP on ESA OUAT attended the meeting. At the outset the PI , Er. Chaitrali S. Mhatre presented the work done on AICRP on ESA at ICAR-CIWA. Dr. K N Agarwal scrutinized the projects and offered valuable suggestions for further enhancement of the project work and outcomes. He suggested to focus the work of the centre on need based product development as well as development of proper training module for farm women. He visited the women friendly tools repository, Ergonomics lab and training cum manufacturing unit of ICAR-CIWA. He appreciated the efforts taken to establish the facilities. Prof. S K Mohanty, extended his guidance and valuable input regarding the projects. Dr. S K Srivastava, Director, ICAR-CIWA emphasised on the proper study of the end users and marketability of the product being developed.

Team:  Er. Chaitrali S. Mhatre(PI), Dr. Jyoti Nayak(Co-PI), Er. Pragati Kishore Rout(TA), Er. Gayatri Mohanty(SRF).