Women-Friendly Coconut Dehuskers Technology at the Doorstep: ICAR-CIWA Reaches Women Farmers across 22 Villages in 12 Gram Pachayats in Puri district

Paperman Media | Puri

In a significant step towards reducing drudgery and improving work efficiency among women farmers, ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture (ICAR-CIWA), Bhubaneswar, provided 50 'Pedal-operated women-friendly coconut dehuskers' on 21 September 2026 to 170 women farmers, members of WFPOs and local leaders from 22 villages across 12 Gram Panchayats of Pipili Block, Puri district.

The initiative is expected to benefit more than 300 women farmers, particularly from underprivileged/SC communities. The intervention is aimed at reducing the physical strain associated with coconut dehusking while improving work efficiency, technical skills and self-reliance among women farmers.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mridula Devi, Director, ICAR-CIWA, highlighted the Institute’s continued efforts to reduce drudgery faced by women in agricultural and allied activities. The Director emphasized the importance of taking gender-responsive technologies from laboratories and institutions to the doorstep of women farmers, along with building their capacity for effective adoption and use.

The programme was witnessed by 12 Sarpanches representing different Gram Panchayats of Pipili Block, Puri District who encouraged women farmers to make use of government schemes and livelihood opportunities. The interaction also strengthened the partnership among ICAR-CIWA, Panchayati Raj Institutions and women farmers, creating a stronger platform for technology-led rural development.

The initiative reinforces ICAR-CIWA’s commitment to gender-responsive technology-based empowerment of women farmers. Dr. Mridula Devi expressed her gratitude to Shri Ashrit Kumar Pattanayak Ji, Hon’ble MLA, Pipili Constituency, for his support to the programme and acknowledged Mrs. Geetanjali Sahoo, Chairperson, Samarpita Women Farmers Producer Company Ltd., for her valuable contribution to this initiative for empowering women farmers.