- ICAR-CIWA gave 50 women SHGs in Puri district pedal-operated coconut dehuskers on Monday.
- The rollout covers 19 villages in 11 Gram Panchayats across four blocks.
- More than 500 women farmers are expected to benefit.
- Priority goes to Scheduled Caste agrarian households.
- Women received hands-on training in operation, safety and maintenance.
Women farmers in Puri district are getting pedal-powered coconut dehuskers designed to cut hand injuries and physical strain. The Bhubaneswar-based ICAR–Central Institute for Women in Agriculture (ICAR-CIWA) handed the machines to 50 women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) on Monday.
The machines are part of the institute’s push to mechanise farm work with women’s needs in mind. More than 500 women farmers are expected to benefit.
Where the machines are going
The rollout covers 19 villages across 11 Gram Panchayats. The blocks are Satyabadi, Brahmagiri, Kanas and Delanga. Priority goes to women from Scheduled Caste agrarian households.
Easing a hazardous task
Coconut cultivation is central to the rural economy of coastal Odisha. Dehusking, however, is still done largely by hand, using machetes and fixed iron spikes.
The work often leads to cuts on the palms, severe strain on muscles and joints, and constant fatigue. The pedal-operated design uses the power of the legs to reduce physical effort. It also keeps hands away from sharp blades and speeds up the work per hour.
Training for women
The machines were handed over with hands-on training for the beneficiary groups in all four blocks. Women practised guided drills on operating the machines, following safety rules and routine maintenance. The training is meant to let them handle post-harvest processing on their own from the start.
Director Mridula Devi of ICAR-CIWA said mechanisation must be designed around women’s ergonomic needs. She said reducing workplace hazards and drudgery protects health and dignity. She added that it can also raise farm productivity, boost household incomes and support sustainable rural enterprise among women’s groups.
