Varanasi: The IRRI South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) in collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) organised a four-day training programme focused on empowering women farmers in Uttar Pradesh through capacity building in Kalanamak rice-based value-added products and micro-entrepreneurship.
The event that began on March 18 aims to equip women farmers with the knowledge and skills needed to transform Kalanamak rice—a traditional, aromatic, and nutritionally rich heritage variety—into profitable value-added products, thereby enhancing their economic opportunities.
Despite the increasing demand for Kalanamak rice, women farmers often face barriers such as limited processing knowledge, restricted market access, and insufficient entrepreneurial skills. This training seeks to bridge these gaps through hands-on demonstrations, expert-led lectures, and mentorship in product development, branding, and business strategies. Participants will learn to develop value-added products such as cookies and rice flakes while gaining insights into quality standards and sustainable business models. The programme aligns with the ODOP initiative, promoting rural economic growth and fostering women’s entrepreneurship. Experts from IRRI, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), and the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) will lead specialised sessions on best practices in Kalanamak rice cultivation, processing, product development, and business opportunities.
The training programme brought together esteemed dignitaries, scientists, and women farmers from across Uttar Pradesh.
Sudhanshu Singh, Director of ISARC underscored the transformative potential of value addition and entrepreneurship in strengthening the livelihoods of women farmers. He stated, “Empowering women in agriculture is not just about enhancing productivity; it is about creating sustainable, market-driven rural enterprises. With growing consumer demand for traditional, organic, and high-quality local products like Kalanamak rice, now is the opportune moment to harness this potential and establish successful agribusiness ventures.”
The event that began on March 18 aims to equip women farmers with the knowledge and skills needed to transform Kalanamak rice—a traditional, aromatic, and nutritionally rich heritage variety—into profitable value-added products, thereby enhancing their economic opportunities.
Despite the increasing demand for Kalanamak rice, women farmers often face barriers such as limited processing knowledge, restricted market access, and insufficient entrepreneurial skills. This training seeks to bridge these gaps through hands-on demonstrations, expert-led lectures, and mentorship in product development, branding, and business strategies. Participants will learn to develop value-added products such as cookies and rice flakes while gaining insights into quality standards and sustainable business models. The programme aligns with the ODOP initiative, promoting rural economic growth and fostering women’s entrepreneurship. Experts from IRRI, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), and the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) will lead specialised sessions on best practices in Kalanamak rice cultivation, processing, product development, and business opportunities.
The training programme brought together esteemed dignitaries, scientists, and women farmers from across Uttar Pradesh.
Sudhanshu Singh, Director of ISARC underscored the transformative potential of value addition and entrepreneurship in strengthening the livelihoods of women farmers. He stated, “Empowering women in agriculture is not just about enhancing productivity; it is about creating sustainable, market-driven rural enterprises. With growing consumer demand for traditional, organic, and high-quality local products like Kalanamak rice, now is the opportune moment to harness this potential and establish successful agribusiness ventures.”
