Sustainable Organic Farming Workshop organized for peripheral women farmers by SAIL, RSP in collaboration with NIT, Rourkela

A Sustainable Organic Farming workshop was organized under Waste to Wealth programme jointly undertaken CSR Department of SAIL, Rourkela Steel plant and National Institute of Technology, Rourkela at the Institute for Peripheral Development, CSR Department, Sector – 20 from 26^th to 28^th September 2024. 50 women farmers from Patua, Ratobirkera, Kanarsuan, Timjore villages of Lathikata Block and Khairtola, Baghdega from Nuagaon Block took part in this 3 days long programme.

Mr. Rajesh Dasgupta, CGM (F&A) presided over the concluding session of the training programme. He along with Ms. Munmun Mittra, GM In-charge (CSR), Prof. Rama Chandra Pradhan,  Associate Dean, NIT, Rourkela Dr. Divyakant Seth, Asst. Professor, NIT, Rourkela and other organisers handed over the completion certificates to the participant.

Mr. Dasgupta while addressing the gathering praised the efforts made by CSR Department in empowering the women farmers with necessary skills essential to promote sustainable livelihood by maintaining  the soil and water health.

At the outset Ms. Munmun Mittra, delivered the welcome address, while the introductory address was presented by Prof. Rama Chandra Pradhan.  Dr. Divyakant Seth,   proposed the formal vote of thanks. Mr.  G. K. Nehru, PhD Scholar, NIT, Rourkela and Ms. Richa Sudiram, Dy. Manager (CSR)   coordinated the function worth the support of Mr. B Ekka, Senior Field Assistant (CSR).

The themes covered under this training workshop were the Basics of Organic Farming; Organic way of Mushroom Cultivation; Practical training for farmers on preparation of Vermicompost, Organic Manures and Biopesticides and Soil Health Management. Resource persons for this course comprised Professors and Researchers from National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha; KVK Scientists; and practitioners who are working in the area of organic farming.

The aim of the initiative is to develop amongst the farmers an understanding on organic farming and use of organic manure for building long term framework for planning and execution of programs for infusion of the process of organic farming in Indian agrarian practices.