Women Rice Farmers To Get Training In Philippines

Farming is physically and mentally challenging, and for women, it can be all the more so. However, their conditions can be improved if they get the right kind of the training. To train them and make them learn about new techniques, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has selected eight women rice farmers.

These eight farmers have been selected to visit IRRI in the Philippines to learn about new rice farming techniques. This step is initiated by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), a science ministry body, to raise and empower the country's women farmers.

“Women farmers are an extremely significant contributor to the agricultural economy and yet aren’t adequately recognised,” said Dr. Shailja Gupta, a senior official in the DBT

Also: Kanpur hosts workshop on women empowerment in agriculture

A workshop was conducted at the IRRI’s centre in Bhubaneshwar. A total 35 women farmers were selected for the workshop. Of these, eight women farmers got selected for the workshop in the Philippines. It will be held from August 6 to 10.

Also: Women Farmers Help Village Become ‘No Suicide Zone’

The women selected for the forthcoming workshop are expected to be exposed to “advanced farming experiences and technological advancements”. The eight women selected are from Uttarakhand, Assam, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.

During the workshop in Bhubaneswar, the women farmers were taught about crop planning, stages of rice cultivation, pest and weed management and use of crop calendar. They were also taught how to do the land selection, crop monitoring, post-harvest management and seed management.

The Economic Survey for the year 2017-18 suggested a number of steps that should be taken to acknowledge “feminization” of Indian agriculture. Such training and workshops are definitely a step in the right direction.

Also Read: Women Farmers Urge Government to Safeguard their Land Rights

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Deepali Is An Intern With SheThePeople.TV