ITANAGAR, Oct 15: Women farmers across Papum Pare, Namsai, Lower Subansiri and Longding districts were encouraged to adopt scientific farming practices, access government support schemes and explore income-generating opportunities as programmes were organised to mark Women Farmers’ Day on Thursday.
The programmes highlighted the contribution of women to agriculture and allied sectors, with a focus on improved farming technologies, winter vegetable cultivation, farm mechanisation, nutritional security and economic empowerment.
At Karsingsa, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Papum Pare, organised a programme attended by around 62 progressive women farmers, rural entrepreneurs and members of self-help groups (SHGs) and farmer producer organisations (FPOs).
Prof KN Dewangan of the Department of Agricultural Engineering, NERIST, Nirjuli, who attended as the chief guest, highlighted the importance of ergonomic hand tools and women-friendly farm machinery in reducing physical drudgery and improving work efficiency. He also stressed the adoption of scientific technologies to enhance farm productivity and income.
Seven progressive women farmers were felicitated for their contributions to agriculture and allied sectors, who shared their success stories, highlighting how scientific farming, horticulture and allied enterprises had helped them move towards self-reliance.
Subject Matter Specialists of KVK conducted technical sessions on agricultural technologies, followed by field demonstrations of women-friendly tools and machinery by the Department of Agricultural Engineering, NERIST.
Meanwhile, ICAR-KVK Namsai organised a programme at Napotia village, attended by 28 women farmers, with a focus on scientific winter vegetable cultivation.
Rebecca Eko, Subject Matter Specialist (Horticulture), explained improved practices for winter vegetable production, including variety selection, land preparation, sowing, nutrient and water management, pest and disease control, and timely harvesting.
Dr Madhumita Sonowal Bora, Subject Matter Specialist (Plant Protection), stressed the adoption of improved technologies to increase vegetable productivity and farm income while ensuring access to fresh and nutritious vegetables for household consumption. Twenty-eight winter vegetable kits were distributed to encourage cultivation in agricultural fields and kitchen gardens.
In Lower Subansiri district, the District Agriculture Office organised a programme under the ATMA scheme for 2026–27 at Kalung Panchayat Hall in Ziro, with 125 women farmers participating.
Lower Subansiri Zilla Parishad Chairperson Hibu Dumi, along with ZPMs Kago Kampu, Takhe Omang, Tasso Bune, Subu Yaring and Tanyang Yajo, emphasised the need to empower women farmers and promote their economic independence. Agriculture department officials also briefed participants on government welfare schemes and initiatives for farmers.
In Longding district, ICAR-KVK Longding organised a programme at Mopakhat village in Kanubari, attended by 36 women farmers, gram panchayat representatives and SHG members.
Dr Utpal Kumar Bhattacharyya, senior scientist and head of KVK Longding, along with subject matter specialists, highlighted modern farming techniques, vegetable cultivation, soil and water conservation, biopesticides, food processing and value addition.
Participants were also introduced to the cultivation potential of golden berry and other crops. Seeds of winter and rabi vegetables were distributed to encourage seasonal cultivation and improve farm productivity.