| ICAR–Central Institute for Women in Agriculture (ICAR-CIWA), Bhubaneswar, organized a three-day Capacity Building Programme on “Preparation of Soil Amendments from Aquatic Weed (Water Hyacinth) and Value Addition of Agricultural Produce” from 4th to 6th February 2026 at Algum Village, Sakhigopal, Puri District, Odisha. The programme was conducted for Scheduled Caste women farmers as part of ICAR-CIWA’s continued efforts to promote gender-inclusive green agri-enterprises that integrate livelihood enhancement with environmental sustainability. |
| Water hyacinth, a highly invasive aquatic weed, poses serious ecological and economic challenges to freshwater ecosystems by obstructing waterways, reducing aquatic biodiversity, hampering fishing activities, and creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. Converting this problematic biomass into soil amendments presents a sustainable, low-cost, and eco-friendly solution. Placing women at the centre of this enterprise is well justified from both gender-responsive development and sustainable resource management perspectives. Recognizing the potential for value addition using water hyacinth, the participating women farmers were provided hands-on training in the preparation of soil amendments, particularly vermicompost, utilizing the aquatic weed. In response to the participants’ interest in income diversification through value addition of agricultural produce, practical training was also imparted on the preparation of mushroom pickle by Smt. Geeta Saha, Technical Officer, ICAR-CIWA. The programme further facilitated meaningful interaction between farmers and subject-matter experts, during which participants’ queries related to insect pest management were addressed. |
| The training programme was coordinated by Dr. Tanuja S, Senior Scientist, ICAR-CIWA, and was meticulously designed with a strong emphasis on experiential learning through practical demonstrations and hands-on sessions. The three-day capacity-building initiative aimed to enhance technical skills, build confidence, and promote self-reliance among the participants, enabling them to adopt soil amendment production and value-added products as viable livelihood options. A total of thirty women farmers actively participated in the programme. |
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