The first Quinquennial Review Team (QRT) Meeting of ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture for the period 2017-2022 was held during 22-23 June 2022 to review the research undertaken by the Institute and monitor the progress of research, its relevance and excellence, and for providing guidelines to the ICAR for taking steps for the fulfillment of the mission and goals of the Institute. In his inaugural address, Dr. Anil Kumar, Director, ICAR-CIWA highlighted the significant achievements made by the institute during the last five years. Dr. Ranajit Kumar Samanta, former Vice Chancellor, BCKV and Chairman QRT commended the Institute for its past achievements, being a unique and premier institute in the field of women empowerment in Agriculture. The QRT members advised the scientists to establish complete synchronization between ICAR-CIWA and AICRP on Women in Agriculture in research and extension activities through common mandate and programme. Dr. Arun Kumar Panda, Member Secretary, QRT made a brief presentation on various activities taken up by the Institute, significant research achievements, action taken report on last QRT recommendations and RAC recommendations. The QRT committee visited the laboratory and other infrastructure facilities of the institute in the afternoon on 22 June 2022. The committee also interacted with the staff of the CIWA to understand the challenges faced by them while working in the Institute.

The QRT team visited ICAR National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack on 23 June 2022 to get acquainted with the activities undertaken by the Institute on gender mainstreaming and women empowerment in agriculture. Dr. Padmini Swain, Director, ICAR-NRRI made a brief presentation about the activities of the Institute. Dr. G. A. K. Kumar, Head, Social Science Division presented the activities taken by the institute for empowering farm women in agriculture. The committee suggested that linkage should be developed between ICAR-NRRI and ICAR-CIWA to work in collaboration for gender mainstreaming and women empowerment in agriculture. In the afternoon on the same day, the QRT team visited the office of Dean Extension, OUAT, Bhubaneswar to get acquainted with the activities being made by the university on empowering farm women in agriculture. Various scientists from the KVKs; Director, Community Science; Head, Department of Extension, besides other staff of Dean Extension Office participated in the interaction. Thereafter, the QRT committee returned to ICAR-CIWA where further discussion on next course of action was decided. The meeting ended with vote of thanks by the Member Secretary, DR. A. K. Panda.