VAMNICOM Celebrates ‘Mahila Kisan Diwas’ with Women Farmers

Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM), in collaboration with the Center for Gender Studies (CGS), celebrated ‘Rashtriya Mahila Kisan Diwas’ on October 16, 2023. The theme for this year’s celebration was ‘Sustainable Agriculture through Gender Inclusion and Participation.’

The event was conducted both in-person and online, fostering a wider reach and participation. The program commenced with the rendition of Saraswati Vandana and the ceremonial lighting of the lamp in the presence of Shri. R. K. Menon, Registrar of VAMNICOM.

In his inaugural address, Shri. Menon emphasized that celebrating the achievements of women farmers could serve as a source of inspiration for other women in agriculture to strive for excellence, benefiting themselves and their communities.

One of the remarkable voices at the event was Smt. Malan Raut from the Swayam Sakhi Shetmal Farmer Producer Company in Latur, a 100% women-owned FPO. She shared her personal journey as a woman farmer, discussing the challenges she overcame, especially during the trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic when she provided employment opportunities to other women, a feat deserving of commendation.

Another inspiring speaker was Smt. Priya Rakhunde, representing the Prema Gopalan Farmer Producer Company in Osmanabad, Maharashtra. She expressed how she got influence from Swayam Shikshan Prayog training programme, empowering her to engage in various agri-allied activities such as Gopalan, worming compost fertilizer production etc. She is actively engaged in raising awareness among school students about the conservation of the five essential elements – Land, Water, Forest, People, and Animals.

Ms. Suchita J. Bhosale, the Founder of Pornima Agro FPO, is a young and dedicated sustainable agricultural practitioner. She elaborated on the diverse training programs offered by her FPO to benefit farmers. Her FPO has an extensive collection of over 70 varieties of traditional seeds, and for urban organic vegetable farming, they have introduced a comprehensive package, providing essential materials, seeds, and training, essentially creating a mini-farm at home in baloney.

Ms. Komal Kute, the Director of Krushishstra (Parabhani Division), spotlighted a successful agricultural experiment carried out to address farming challenges. She shared her personal journey in the farming community and discussed the cultivation of different types of millets, shedding light on the employment of Dorn technology in agriculture.

All four distinguished women guests shared their inspiring journeys from individuals to women who lead successful agricultural companies. The event attended members from Katraj dairy, Shivai FPO from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, as well as women farmers from the surrounding rural areas of Pune. The program also witnessed the participation of young agripreneurs dedicated to the welfare of the farming community. VAMNICOM received an overwhelming response from women, particularly women farmers, making this event a resounding success.

Women participants expressed their delight and gratitude for VAMNICOM’s initiative in bringing women agripreneurs, entrepreneurs, and women farmers onto a common platform for the exchange of views, ideas, opinions, and experiences.

The concept for ‘Rashtriya Mahila Kisan Diwas’ was developed under the visionary guidance of Dr. Hema Yadav, Director of VAMNICOM, further solidifying the institute’s commitment to empowering and celebrating women in agriculture. Dr. Pallavi Ingale Associate professor and HoC-CGS, VANICOM, Pune proposed Vote of Thanks to all guest and participated.