JAMMU, MARCH 16: A Gender Targeting and Inclusion Sensitization Workshop under the Jammu & Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Project (JKCIP) was organised by the Department of Agriculture Production & Farmers Welfare, Jammu here at Baba Jitto Kisan Kendra, Talab Tillo, with the objective of strengthening gender-inclusive approaches and promoting enhanced participation of women in agriculture and allied sectors.
Mission Director HADP/JKCIP Sandeep Kumar was the Chief Guest, while Director Agriculture Jammu Anil Gupta attended the programme as Guest of Honour.
In his address, the Mission Director emphasized the importance of empowering women in agriculture and ensuring inclusive development through coordinated efforts of the stakeholder departments. “Women play a vital role in sustaining rural livelihoods and enhancing agricultural productivity. Sensitization initiatives of this nature help create equitable opportunities and encourage greater participation of women in development processes,” he observed.
Speaking on the occasion, the Director Agriculture Jammu highlighted the department’s commitment to strengthening gender-responsive agricultural programmes and ensuring that women farmers benefit from modern technologies, government schemes and capacity-building initiatives.
Earlier, the welcome address was delivered by Manohar Lal Sharma, who welcomed the dignitaries and participants and highlighted the objectives of the workshop and the importance of gender inclusion in agricultural development.
The workshop featuring technical sessions was conducted by experts including Dr. Savita Nayyar, Director, Centre for Women’s Studies, University of Jammu; Dr. Sheetal Badyal, Chief Scientist, Department of Home Sciences, KVK-Jammu and Dr. Puneet Choudhary, Chief Scientist & Head, KVK-Jammu.
Women progressive farmers also shared their experiences and success stories, inspiring other participants to take up innovative agricultural and allied activities.
The workshop witnessed participation from women farmers, representatives of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), agripreneurs and Women Self Help Groups (WSHGs). Khalid Hassan SDAO Marh, along with senior officers and field functionaries of the Agriculture Department also attended the programme
The proceedings of the programme were conducted by SMS-DL Rajeev Katoch, while the vote of thanks was presented by DAO (Extension) Vinod Kumar Khajuria.