A National Webinar on ‘Women FPOs: An Effective Approach for Boosting Entrepreneurship, Empowerment and Self –reliance (Atmanirbhar)’ was jointly organized by ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar and AICRP on Home Science Centre MPUAT, Udaipur on 10 September, 2020. It was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Dr. Narendra Singh Rathore, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, MPUAT, Udaipur. In his key note address on "Options for increasing entrepreneurship, empowerment and self-reliance" among the farm women he emphasized on Farmer Producer Association and its role on entrepreneurship, empowerment, self-reliance and value addition. Further, he accentuated that education, knowledge and skill-based capacity development are essential for empowerment of farm to start their own ventures in order to improve their economical and socio-economic status.

Dr. S. K. Srivastava, Director, ICAR-CIWA urged the research and extension scientists to motivate the stakeholders to step forward and start agro enterprises by formulating WFPOs. Dr. Meenu Srivastava, Dean, College of Community and Applied Sciences, MPUAT, Udaipur appreciated the activities carried out under AICRP for economic empowerment of farm women in agriculture and allied sectors.

At the outset Dr. Abhay Kumar Mehta, Director Research, MPUAT, Udaipur gave the welcome address for the participants from different parts of the country. Dr. Lipi Das, Principal Scientist and Convener of this Webinar gave a brief background of organizing this Webinar and presented the main concept of the theme.

In this workshop lead lectures were presented by four eminent experts covering various aspects of Women Farmer Producer Organization. Dr. P. Chandrasekara, Director General, CCS-NIAM, Jaipur presented an abstract information on "Construction of Women Farmers Entrepreneurship Producer Associations-A Best Effort" in which he described about twenty essential points required for Construction of Women Farmers Entrepreneurship Producer Associations. Dr. V. V. Sadamate Former Advisor (Agriculture), Planning Commission, New Delhi stated that the critical areas to be covered under capacity building for FPOs should touch the aspects of business planning to maximize benefits as well as to reduce the business risks and monitoring.

Dr. Samarendu Mohanty, Asia Regional Manager, CIP, (CGIAR) emphasized that there is a need to connect farmers to a value-chain as this will help them in becoming agri-entrepreneurs. Dr. Ranjit Kumar, Head (ABM) ICAR-NAARM, Hyderabad, emphasized on "Business Planning for Farmer Producer Organizations" and explained the business details, market analysis and product specifications.

At the end of the Webinar Dr Sudha Babel, Unit Coordinator, ICARP on Home Science, Udaipur presented concluding remarks of the technical session. Dr. Visakha Bansal, Technical Coordinator (Home Science Extension) proposed the vote of thanks. The programme was attended by 297 registered participants.