Postmodernism design solution in agri, food sector helps women

In a bid to explore value added products in agriculture and food processing, techies and farmers emphasised on postmodernism in development approaches in the sector which employs women.
"Postmodernism Design Solutions is not only a necessity but it places people at the centre of development," experts told a workshop organised by Central Toolroom and Training Centre (CTTC) here.
Application of value added products in agri sector would help counter rising rural wages as well as low turnout of workers that had hitherto made agri enterprises unprofitable for farmers, they said.
Any MSME, either single or in a group, could implement a Design Solution by applying for a Design Project up to Rs 25 lakh of which 60 per cent was a grant from government.

While workers viewed the farm sector as a market to sell their labour power, the manufacturers and suppliers had taken a long time to look into the requirements in the field, the experts opined.
Speakers also suggested Skill Building of women with Gender Sensitivity ideas to the Design Clinic Scheme such as making Women Friendly Workstations in Agriculture, Post-Processing and Management and Food Processing.

Terming it to be difficult to have globalisation of practices in Agriculture and Food Processing due to differences in culture, agro climatic conditions, lifestyle of people and differences in technology levels, they put thrust on context specific approaches in the sector.

The programmes being conducted at CTTC also encourage young student designers from technical institutes and engineering colleges to improve their competencies for design and innovation with a grant of Rs 1.5 lakh for each project.
Students would get a stipend and reimburse their expenses for giving shape to their innovation, they said.
Experts including Associate professor of College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology under Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) Kalpana Raiguru participated.