The Institute celebrated its Foundation Day on 17.02.2020. On this occasion, a series of activities were organized viz; (i) Foundation Day Lecture (ii) Technology Demonstration Mela (iii) Inauguration & Prize distribution to progressive farmwomen (iv)Scientists-Farmer Interface(v) Cultural evening at ICAR-CIWA. The Foundation Day lecture was delivered by the Chief Guest, Dr. P. K. Agarwal, Vice Chancellor OUAT, Bhubaneswar. Dr. Khageswar Pradhan Ex-VC, OUAT and RAU Bikaner & Dr. Krishna Srinath, Former Director ICAR-CIWA were the Guest of Honour. The programme was started with ICAR song. At the outset Dr Jyoti Nayak, Nodal Officer, Foundation Day welcomed the dignitaries and participants and invited to all dignitaries for the lighting of the lamp. The Director of the Institute, Dr. S. K. Srivastava delivered welcomed address and welcomed all the dignitaries, Director/Head/Staff of the ICAR Institutes located at Bhubaneswar & Cuttack staff and farm women including field staff/ contractual staff of ICAR-CIWA and Media personals. In his welcome address he highlighted the various achievements of the institute for the 2019-20 and emphasized the contribution of ICAR-CIWA towards the empowerment of women and enhancement of economic and nutritional security of farm families through its extensive research and extension activities. He also cited the prestigious award to ICAR-CIWA, Bhubaneswar as “Best Institute in Agriculture” by CMO Asia and World CSR Day.

Dr. P. K. Agarwal during his address emphasized that women play significant and crucial role in agricultural development and allied fields. The nature and extent of women’s involvement in agriculture varies greatly from region to region. But regardless of these variations women are actively involved in various agricultural activities and have been the most important productive work force in the Indian economy. Besides, he stressed upon the dietary consumption pattern of women in the grass root level, noting the importance of micronutrients in health aspect of women. He advised the gathering for creating awareness about the consumption of vegetables, milk, egg pulses along with rice.

Dr. Krishna Srinath, Former Director ICAR-CIWA, highlighted the importance of celebration of Foundation Day at institute level. She advised the various ways and means for the betterment of the farm women. She also pointed out the pros and cons of the institute and advised all to work with dedication and positive spirit for the visibility of the institute at International level. She appreciated the efforts of Director and staff of the Institute for continuous development, infrastructure and status.
Dr. Khageswar Pradhan Ex-VC, OUAT & RAU Bikaner, in his address emphasized the importance of the role of Director and his team for the betterment of the institute and advised to celebrate the Foundation Day in a national level, so that farm women from different state will participate and realize the work of ICAR-CIWA for their upliftment. He also highlighted the genesis of the ICAR-CIWA.
The function was attended by 150 farm women from the Institute project villages and Dalit Vikas Samitti covering Puri, Cuttack, Ganjam and Jagatsinghpur districts of Odisha.
The Technology Demonstration Mela was also organized and Inaugurated by the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour including other dignitaries. Technology Mela offered a platform to the farm women to know about various drudgery reducing women friendly small tools and equipments viz. Groundnut decorticator & stripper, Seed treatment drum, Seed driller, Fertilizer broadcaster, Maize de-husker cum sheller, Seed cleaner cum grader, Potato slicer, Coconut de-husker etc. Other technologies suitable for women like backyard poultry rearing, hygienic fish drying rack, value added fish products, paddy straw mushroom, pheromone trap, pot method of vermicomposting and planting material production of horticultural crops were displayed. Women friendly harvesting bag developed under AICRP on Ergonomics and Safety in Agriculture was also demonstrated and received positive reviews from all the stakeholders. Technology Demonstration Mela was coordinate by Er. Chaitrali S. Mhatre, Scientist & PI, AICRP on Ergonomics and Safety in Agriculture. The Scientists-Farmer Interface was organized in the presence of retired personnel; Dr. Krishna Srinath, Dr. M. Srinath, Dr. Suman Agarwal, Mr. S Mishra, MD HTPL private limited and Director & Staff of the Institute. The event enabled the farm women to clarify their farming related queries by a team of Scientific and technical experts. On this occasion, 12 progressive farm women were also felicitated for their outstanding contributions in the field of agriculture, horticulture, dairy farming, duckery, goatery, poultry, aquaculture, mushroom farming and bee-keeping. The formal vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Jyoti Nayak, Principal Scientist and Nodal Officer Foundation day ICAR-CIWA.