Pulwama, Apr 07: The CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine Jammu organized a two day technical and entrepreneurial skill development workshop at its Field Station in Bonera Pulwama, with a focused aim to empower women through scientific cultivation, processing and value addition of aromatic crops. The initiative is part of Institute’s CSIR Aroma Mission to translate its research and technologies into grassroots impact, particularly by empowering women in rural and semi-urban areas.
The workshop was designed to equip 100 women farmers, self-help group (SHG) members of National Rural Livelihood Mission with hands-on training and entrepreneurial knowledge to enhance income, livelihood opportunities, and foster the Agritech startup ecosystem. The two day programme featured onsite practical demonstrations and expert sessions on scientific cultivation of aromatic crops, post- harvest handling and processing, techniques to develop value-added products, market research and business model creation. Participants also interacted with successful women entrepreneurs trained under previous Aroma Mission initiatives.
Speaking to our correspondent Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Director CSIR IIIM Jammu said that women are at the heart of our rural economy. By imparting scientific knowledge and entrepreneurial skills in aromatic crop cultivation and value addition, we are not only enhancing incomes but also nurturing a new generation of women-led agritech startups.
Addressing the participants at the workshop Dr Shahid Rasool, Senior Scientist and Incharge Field Station Pulwama informed that the activities under the Mission are in conformity with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 for empowering women and are personally being mentored and monitored by Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister for Science and Technology.
