As part of the ongoing observance of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada, commemorating the 150th Birth Anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, ICAR-IIWM, Bhubaneswar organized a tribal farmers’ capacity building program on the theme “Art” on 05.11.2025 in village: Chougaon in Koraput district of Odisha. The program aimed to highlight the rich artistic traditions and craftsmanship of tribal communities and to create awareness about the importance of conserving and promoting these cultural assets. A total of 24 male and 76 female participants from the village actively participated in the event, showcasing great enthusiasm and interest. The program was organized in collaboration with 'Pragati' a local NGO, which assisted in mobilizing artisans and coordinating various activities. The program highlighted demonstrations by local craft persons, who displayed their skills in bamboo work and traditional painting. Participants were also introduced to GI-tagged tribal ‘Kalajira’ rice and learned about its cultural significance. Interactive discussions were conducted focusing on the preservation of tribal art and opportunities for livelihood generation through the development of market linkages for traditional products. Experts highlighted the potential of forming artisan clusters to ensure fair market practices. In addition, resource persons sensitized the participants about government schemes and initiatives that support tribal artisans. Some of the action and activity photographs of Day-5 (05.11.2025) are presented below.
