Workshop-cum-Training Programme on Gender Sensitive Integrated Vertical Nutri-farming System for Household Nutrition and Income Enhancement

A Workshop-cum-Training Programme on “Gender Sensitive Integrated Vertical Nutri-farming System for Household Nutrition and Income Enhancement” was organized at ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar on 14th December, 2022 under the project “Design and Development of Gender Sensitive Integrated Vertical Nutri-farming System for Household Nutrition and Income”. Dr. Tania Seth, Scientist and PI of the project welcomed all the participants and described that the workshop was aimed at imparting hands on training about Integrated Vertical Nutri-farming System Model including vegetable cultivation in vertical troughs, paddy straw mushroom cultivation, oyster mushroom cultivation, poultry farming, poultry feed formulation and azolla cultivation. Dr. Mridula Devi, Director, ICAR-CIWA emphasized the inclusion of vegetables and fruits in daily diet for nutritional security and highlighted that adoption of Integrated Vertical Nutri-farming System (IVNFS) model will facilitate the farmwomen to supplement their household vegetable consumption. The Workshop-cum-Training Programme comprised of technical session, where in Dr. Arun Kumar Panda, Principal Scientist, discussed about the role of farmwomen in family poultry production and its advantages towards mitigating malnutrition and increasing family income. Dr. Tania Seth, Scientist showcased the ongoing activities of the project in the selected villages and encouraged the beneficiaries to share their knowledge and experience regarding performance of the IVNFS model. Er. Chaitrali S. Mhatre, Scientist briefed about women friendly farm tools and implements. She also interacted with the beneficiaries regarding the drudgery faced by them in operating IVNFS model. At the end of the training programme, hands on training and demonstration were conducted on paddy straw mushroom cultivation and oyster mushroom cultivation. In this programme seeds of seasonal leafy vegetables and French bean were distributed. A total of 25 farmwomen from Puri and Khordha districts had participated in the programme. The programme was coordinated by Dr. Tania Seth, Scientist, Dr. A. K. Panda, Principal Scientist, Er. Chaitrali S. Mhatre, Scientist and Mr. Manoranjan Prusty, Technical Officer.