ICAR-CIWA, Bhubaneswar Extends Women-Friendly Coconut Dehusking Technology Support to 85 Women’s Groups in Odisha 21 Sept – 5 Oct 2026, Bhubaneswar, Odisha ICAR–Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar, extended technology support to 85 w

21 Sept – 5 Oct 2026, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

ICAR–Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar, extended technology support to 85 women’s groups, comprising Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Women Farmers’ Interest Groups, for adopting the Women-Friendly Pedal-Operated Coconut Dehusker on 21 September and 5 October 2026.

The initiative covered women beneficiaries from 41 villages across 23 Gram Panchayats in Puri district, Odisha, and is expected to benefit more than 1,000 women farmers, with a special focus on Scheduled Caste women.

ICAR-CIWA, Bhubaneswar Extends Women-Friendly Coconut Dehusking Technology Support to 85 Women’s Groups in Odisha 21 Sept – 5 Oct 2026, Bhubaneswar, Odisha ICAR–Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar, extended technology support to 85 women’s groups, comprising Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Women Farmers’ Interest Groups, for adopting the Women-Friendly Pedal-Operated Coconut Dehusker on 21 September and 5 October 2026. The initiative covered women beneficiaries from 41 villages across 23 Gram Panchayats in Puri district, Odisha, and is expected to benefit more than 1,000 women farmers, with a special focus on Scheduled Caste women. Coconut dehusking is a labour-intensive activity that often exposes rural women to physical strain, muscular pain and the risk of hand and palm injuries. Developed by ICAR-CIWA, the pedal-operated dehusker is designed to address women’s ergonomic requirements, reduce drudgery and improve occupational safety and working conditions. Hands-on training was also conducted for beneficiaries from all 85 groups across Pipili, Satyabadi, Brahmagiri, Kanas and Delanga blocks of Puri district to facilitate the adoption and effective use of the technology. Dr Mridula Devi, Director, ICAR-CIWA, highlighted the Institute’s efforts to promote women-friendly technologies for drudgery reduction and women’s empowerment. She emphasized the potential of ICAR-developed technologies to improve women farmers’ working conditions and efficiency while enhancing their income and livelihood opportunities. The initiative reflects ICAR-CIWA’s continued efforts to promote women-friendly agricultural technologies that improve occupational safety, enhance productivity and strengthen women’s participation in agriculture and agri-food systems. ICAR-CIWA acknowledged the support extended by the group leaders and local facilitators of Samarpita Women Farmers Producer Company, Pipili block, and Mahila Vikas Sangathan, Satyabadi block, along with the Sarpanches of all 23 Gram Panchayats, in organising the two programmes. The initiative marks a step towards the technological, social and economic empowerment of women farmers in the region. (Source: ICAR–Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar)

Coconut dehusking is a labour-intensive activity that often exposes rural women to physical strain, muscular pain and the risk of hand and palm injuries. Developed by ICAR-CIWA, the pedal-operated dehusker is designed to address women’s ergonomic requirements, reduce drudgery and improve occupational safety and working conditions.

Hands-on training was also conducted for beneficiaries from all 85 groups across Pipili, Satyabadi, Brahmagiri, Kanas and Delanga blocks of Puri district to facilitate the adoption and effective use of the technology.

Dr Mridula Devi, Director, ICAR-CIWA, highlighted the Institute’s efforts to promote women-friendly technologies for drudgery reduction and women’s empowerment. She emphasized the potential of ICAR-developed technologies to improve women farmers’ working conditions and efficiency while enhancing their income and livelihood opportunities.

The initiative reflects ICAR-CIWA’s continued efforts to promote women-friendly agricultural technologies that improve occupational safety, enhance productivity and strengthen women’s participation in agriculture and agri-food systems.

ICAR-CIWA acknowledged the support extended by the group leaders and local facilitators of Samarpita Women Farmers Producer Company, Pipili block, and Mahila Vikas Sangathan, Satyabadi block, along with the Sarpanches of all 23 Gram Panchayats, in organising the two programmes. The initiative marks a step towards the technological, social and economic empowerment of women farmers in the region.

(Source: ICAR–Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar)