Suttur, December 4, 2018: ICAR JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra, in collaboration with the Sri Nanjundeshwara Mahila Kalanjiya Okkuta of the DHAAN Foundation, successfully organized the ‘Women’s Day in Agriculture’ program on December 4, 2018, in Badanvaalu village. This event aimed to empower women farmers and highlight their significant contributions to agriculture and rural development.
The program was inaugurated by Smt. Mangala Somashekar, who emphasized the importance of women’s physical and mental well-being and the need for women to take charge of their financial, political, and family decisions for the development of the country.
Smt. Meena Mysura, News Editor at Bengaluru Doordarshan Kendra, served as the resource person for the event. In her speech, she encouraged women to prioritize their overall health, consume nutritious food, and develop a positive attitude towards life. She also emphasized the importance of sustainable agriculture and shared inspiring stories of progressive women farmers who have ventured into activities such as animal husbandry, rabbit rearing, poultry farming, and sheep farming to achieve independence.
Sri S. S. Raghavendra, Financial Advisor at State Bank of India, provided valuable information on financial management. He educated the participants on the effective use of bank accounts, ATM cards, and various government benefits such as the ‘Atal Pension Scheme’ and ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Suraksha Yojana.’ Sri Raghavendra advised women to save money through additional income-generating activities and emphasized the importance of cashless transactions.
Sri Govardhan of the ‘DHAAN Foundation’ emphasized the significance of preserving culture and traditions while encouraging women to celebrate festivals with a deep understanding of their uniqueness. He highlighted the connection between physical health and a strong mindset, emphasizing the importance of both for achieving personal growth and success.
Drawing inspiration from the life of Swami Vivekananda, farmer Sri Umashankar urged women to teach their children about Swami Vivekananda’s teachings and philosophy.
Dr. Arun Balamatti, Head of ICAR JSS KVK, stressed the importance of nutrition safety in agricultural production. He recognized the historical role of women in agriculture and the need for their proper recognition and respect. Dr. Balamatti expressed the objective of the ‘Women’s Day in Agriculture’ program to raise awareness about the vital role of women in agriculture and the necessity of their active involvement for the development of the sector.
Smt. Divya H.V., Seed Technology Scientist at JSS KVK, and Smt. Netravathi Yettinamani, Scientist, shared insights into the significance of ‘Vasudha Food Products’ and medicinal plants.
The program witnessed enthusiastic participation from approximately 75 women from Badanavalu village. Sri Prabhushankar of the DHAAN Foundation and Sri Srinivas, PDO, Gram Panchayat, were also present.
