Developed in collaboration with the CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), this polyhouse is expected to promote high-value crop cultivation and support sustainable farming and climate-smart practices in the region.
Union Minister of Education, Dharmendra Pradhan visited Jujumura block in Sambalpur district to inaugurate a series of agricultural initiatives aimed at strengthening the rural economy and supporting farmer collectives. During the visit, Union Minister inaugurated a state-of-the-art polyhouse facility at Sabujasanatanpali Farmer Producer Company Limited (FPCL), Jujumura. Developed in collaboration with the CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), this polyhouse is expected to promote high-value crop cultivation and support sustainable farming and climate-smart practices in the region, especially in floriculture value-chains.
The partnership with CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow represents a strategic investment by the Government to advance climate- resilient and sustainable agricultural practices in Odisha. Leveraging its expertise in plant science and biotechnology, NBRI is supporting the development and dissemination of climate-smart crop varieties, and facilitating nature-based solutions for soil and water management in horticultural value-chains, thereby contributing to enhancing the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers, aligning with the state’s broader goals of sustainable agricultural transformation and resilience in the face of climate change.
Sabuja Sanatanapali Farmer Producer Company Limited (SSFPCL), formed in 2021 by a determined group of farmers in Jujomora, Sambalpur, has grown into a vibrant collective of over 1,450 members—55 per cent of whom are women. The FPC which is supported by Palladium Consulting India Pvt. Ltd., and NABARD, has now become a beacon of inclusive rural entrepreneurship in the region showcasing how empowered farmers through collective action, innovation, and government support can drive sustainable rural development and transform local economies.
In a significant boost to market infrastructure, Union minister also laid the foundation stone for a new market yard in Sanatanpali, which will serve as a hub for aggregation and sale of produce by local farmers.
Marking a significant milestone in the journey of Sabujasanatanpali Farmer Producer Company Ltd., Sri Pradhan also flagged off the season’s first marketing consignment of watermelons through the FPC. This marketing initiative was facilitated by Palladium Consulting India Pvt. Ltd., the Technical Support Unit to the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha, which has been playing a key role in strengthening Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) ecosystem in the state by facilitating access to markets and infrastructure through technical expertise. In collaboration with the Gates Foundation, the Government is actively working to enhance businesses of FPOs across the state by linking them to domestic and international markets and promoting adoption of climate-resilient practices to ensure sustainable growth for smallholder farmers. This event symbolizes the growing potential of farmer-led enterprises in the region and their expanding market reach, aiming to empower small- holder farmers and improve livelihoods.
