50 per cent agriculturists in AP are women: Dr Mayande

Rajahmundry, Oct 17 (UNI) The Central Tobacco Research Institute (CTRL) Zonal Coordinator V M Mayande said 65 per cent of the population of Andhra Pradesh is depending on agriculture for livelhiood, in which 50 per cent are women.

Addressing a two-day training cum workshop on food and nutrition and drudgery reduction and empowerment of women in rural areas yesterday, Dr Mayande said in this direction Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) started giving training in fields of agriculture, horticulture, cattle rearing, homescience and rural handicrafts for the rural development.

There were 545 KVKs functioning in the country and by 2007 the number would be increased to 580, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, CTRL Director C A Raju said in the production of tobacco 80 per cent of the women were involved, and they were helping country's fiscal development besides agriculture development.

He said 190 million children below five years were having malnutrition and fifty per cent of the pregnant women were suffering from anameia as said by the scientists.

NABARD AGM, K Satyanarayana spoke on micro finance and women development. More than 50 delegates were attending the two-day training cum workshop.

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