IE : Swaminathan foundation to launch body for women farmers : Sept 11, 2007

Swaminathan foundation to launch body for women farmers

Nagpur, Sept. 9 (PTI): The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation will launch
a 'federation for woman farmers' on October 2 to aid widows of farmers, who
committed suicide, in cultivating their land in an economically sustainable
manner.

"Most of the widows have some rain-fed land of two to 10 acres. The
federation will help them enable to farm their land in an economically
sustainable manner," eminent agriculture scientist Prof M S Swaminathan,
said here today.

Initially, the federation will consist of 1000 women farmers who will be
provided with financial assistance. Also self help groups consisting of 20
members each will help the members in their agricultural operations, he
said.

A technical support consortium consisting of specialists in soil, water,
technology, credit, inputs and marketing is being constituted to assist
them, the chairman of National Commissioner for Farmers (NCF) said.
"Care for the living" is the moto of the federation. A mentoring centre will
also be set up in wardha district. It will have a Village Resource Centre
(VRC) with satellite connectivity established with the help of Indian Space
Research Organisation (ISRO), he added.

Publication : IE; Section : Mumbai; Pg :3; Date : 11/9/07
URL: http://www.hinduonnet.com/holnus/001200709092070.htm