Akhilesh Chandra Saxena
Bareilly, December 30 – A workshop on the Learning Lab for Socio-Technical Innovation Bundling (STIB) for Women Empowerment was recently organized at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar. The event was conducted jointly by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), and the IVRI.
Chief Guest’s Address
The chief guest, Mrs. Shruti Gangwar, Chairperson of Urban Cooperative Bank Limited, Bareilly, emphasized the need to educate women in society. She stressed the importance of providing women with equal opportunities and decision-making capabilities, stating that education is the key to empowerment. “Challenges exist for women in every field, but they can overcome them through collective efforts and forming self-help groups,” she remarked. She also urged families to encourage women to advance in their pursuits. Highlighting the government’s initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, the Mudra Yojana, and Jan Dhan Yojana, Mrs. Gangwar called on society to support women’s growth and contributions to national prosperity.
Director’s Perspective
Dr. Triveni Dutt, Director of IVRI, underlined the significance of the workshop, describing it as a pivotal initiative to address women’s challenges and empower them economically. “This project, initiated with the support of IRRI, has shown success at our Kolkata campus, and we aim to replicate its outcomes across various states,” he said. He emphasized the need to bridge gender inequality and provide women with knowledge of agricultural and livestock technologies to achieve the project’s goals.
Focus on Rural Women
Joint Director of Extension Education, Dr. Rupsi Tiwari, highlighted the workshop’s aim to establish a learning lab where women’s empowerment and innovation could be bundled. “Women in rural areas play a vital role in agriculture and livestock management. By forming women’s groups and equipping them with knowledge about climate change and innovative techniques, we can achieve sustainable development,” she added.
Project Insights
Dr. Mahesh Chandra, the project head, shed light on the project’s implementation in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas and West 24 Parganas districts. The initiative included forming women’s groups and providing training on economic advancement through agriculture, poultry farming, and goat rearing. Women were also trained to market their products at fair prices through various NGOs.
Dignitaries Present
The program began with a welcome address by Dr. H.R. Meena, Head of the Extension Education Department, and was moderated by Dr. Shruti. Notable attendees included Dr. S.K. Singh, Joint Director of Research; Dr. S.K. Mendiratta, Joint Director of Academics; Dr. Sohini Dey, Joint Director of CADRAD; and former department heads and scientists from the Extension Education Department.
This initiative exemplifies the collaborative efforts of research institutions to empower women and ensure their active participation in socio-economic growth.
