Bhubaneswar: The Capacity Partnership Workshop, organized by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha, in collaboration with the International Food Policy Research Institute, brought gender equality to the forefront of the state’s agricultural agenda. This two-day initiative under the Gender Responsive Cell was specifically designed to bridge gender gaps and advance inclusive agricultural policymaking.
Inaugurating the workshop, Sri Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, Secretary Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment emphasized that empowering women in agriculture requires moving beyond cultural acknowledgment. He stated that the true challenge demands a fundamental paradigm shift in policymaking and public administration. Sri Jadhav stressed the critical need for establishing robust data systems and implementing gender-responsive governance to ensure that women’s contributions are formally recognized and integrated into agricultural policies.
The workshop brought together senior officials from various departments, including Women and Child Development, Mission Shakti, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, and the ICAR-Central Institution for Women in Agriculture. Throughout the event, participants focused on the analytical tools necessary for true empowerment, covering the gender analysis of agricultural schemes, gender budgeting, and digital and financial inclusion. Attendees also received hands-on training on utilizing gender-disaggregated data from the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises 2023–24.
Additional Secretary Shri Shubhranshu Mishra supported this vision by emphasizing data-driven and inclusive policy interventions to strengthen the role of women in the agricultural sector. Experts from the International Rice Research Institute, the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, the National Council of Applied Economic Research, and IFPRI facilitated technical sessions focused on closing gender gaps and implementing evidence-based policymaking.
By focusing on the institutional frameworks highlighted by AGRI Secretary Sri Jadhav, the workshop marks a key step in operationalizing the Gender Responsive Cell. The initiative serves as a platform for institutional learning and policy innovation, positioning Odisha as a leader in equitable and inclusive agricultural transformation that genuinely empowers women farmers.