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Agribusiness, Agrotech, Company News, Start ups

 The initiative fostered collaboration and innovation in agriculture, empowering Odisha’s FPOs with strategies for sustainable market linkages and global exports.

A six-day exposure visit to Sahyadri Farms, Maharashtra, concluded successfully, bringing together representatives of 19 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) from Cuttack and Dhenkanal districts of Odisha. The visit, facilitated under the Support to FPO scheme, Government of Odisha was organized to provide hands-on insights into sustainable farming practices and FPO management, began on January 20, 2025, and was marked by high-level engagements and in-depth discussions.

The agenda seamlessly combined field visits, interactive discussions, and knowledge-sharing sessions. Participants from FPOs explored innovative practices like solar drying, algae production from wastewater, and advanced FMCG processing while witnessing Sahyadri Farms’ farmer-inclusive value chain initiatives. Supported by Palladium as the Technical Support Unit under the PSFPO project, Directorate of Horticulture, Odisha, the visit fostered collaboration and innovation in agriculture, empowering Odisha’s FPOs with strategies for sustainable market linkages and global exports.

One of the key highlights of the visit was the attendance of Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment & Energy. He was accompanied by Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Government, DA&FE, Prem Chandra Chaudhary, IAS, Director of Agriculture and Food Production and Nikhil Pavan Kalyan, IAS, Director of Horticulture and Dr Monica Priyadarshini, IAS, Director, Mission Shakti. The dignitaries and senior officials, actively participated in scheduled activities, aligning discussions with Odisha’s agricultural growth objectives.

Speaking about the visit, Vilas Shinde, CMD, Sahyadri Farms, said, “We are deeply grateful to the Government of Odisha and the PSFPO team for their proactive role in organizing this successful exposure visit. It was a pleasure to host such an enthusiastic group of FPO representatives and dignitaries from the state. We look forward to collaborating further with the Government of Odisha to replicate the Sahyadri model and empower farmers in the state with sustainable practices and value chain development strategies.”

Key action points discussed during the visit focused on replicating the Sahyadri Farms model in Odisha by leveraging government support through initiatives such as land allocation, subsidies, and initial investments. Emphasis was placed on selecting suitable horticulture crops, including pineapple, citrus, banana, mango, and guava, to promote sustainable farming and enhance market relevance. To build awareness and facilitate informed decision-making, it was proposed to organize a presentation by Sahyadri Farms for agri-ecosystem stakeholders in Odisha and arrange another exposure visit for policymakers. The formation of crop-specific farmer groups, including women farmers and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), was highlighted as a critical step toward strengthening community involvement. Lastly, a strong focus was placed on ensuring the production and supply of high-quality produce to maintain competitiveness in the market.

Looking forward, the state will continue to conduct exposure visits and market-oriented training for 250 Farmers Producer Organizations across the state in the upcoming months under the Support to FPO scheme by Government of Odisha.

 The initiative fostered collaboration and innovation in

Agribusiness, AgroPolicy, Collaborations, Company News, Horticulture, India, Start ups, Trade

These MoUs aim to bolster the export and value addition of Odisha’s fresh fruits and vegetables, empowering local farmers with better market access, fair pricing, and global recognition.

In a groundbreaking move to advance Odisha’s position in agricultural exports, Directorate of Horticulture, Government of Odisha in collaboration with Palladium Consulting India Pvt. Ltd., signed 11 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with private sector exporters at the prestigious Krushi Odisha 2025. The ceremony took place in the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singhdeo, Principal Secretary (Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment) Arabinda Padhee, Director of Agriculture Prem Chand Chaudhury, Director of Horticulture Sri Nikhil Pavan Kalyan, and Director of Fisheries Ramashish Hazra.

This milestone agreement aims to bolster the export and value addition of Odisha’s fresh fruits and vegetables, empowering local farmers with better market access, fair pricing, and global recognition. The MoUs mark a significant stride in Odisha’s journey to establish itself as a leader in agricultural and horticultural exports, aligning with the state’s strategic vision for sustainable growth.

With nearly 10,000 participants, including farmers, women-led self-help groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), exporters, students, and agri-entrepreneurs, Krushi Odisha 2025 serves as a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange and innovation. Featuring 13 technical sessions, farmer-scientist interactions, and over 200 stalls showcasing advanced technology and products, the event underscores Odisha’s commitment to transforming its agricultural sector.

The event spotlighted the launch of the Amala Utkala crop information booklet, developed by the Directorate of Horticulture with Palladium as the Technical Support Unit. This booklet offers a comprehensive overview of Odisha’s crops, detailing varieties, production statistics, and market linkages, empowering farmers with critical insights for informed decisions and export opportunities. The event also celebrated sustainable farming by felicitating progressive farmers, SHGs, and FPOs from all 30 districts of Odisha. Key sessions on ‘Developing Organic Commodity Value Chains: An Opportunity for FPOs,’ and ‘Promoting climate resilient Horticulture through ag-tech adoption and innovation’ organized by the Directorate and Palladium Consulting India, highlighted adoption of climate-smart practices for sustainability, market-led organic production systems, emphasizing FPOs and women farmers. Experts shared valuable insights on supply chain efficiency, export potential, agri-entrepreneurship and role of ag-tech in development of sustainable food systems.

Nikhil Pavan Kalyan, IAS, Director of Horticulture, said, “Odisha is on a transformative path to position itself as a leader in agricultural exports. Our collaboration with exporters supported by Technical support Unit led by Palladium and the signing of these MoUs reflects our dedication to empowering farmers, enhancing value addition, and ensuring remunerative market access for our produce on a global scale.”

Biswajit Behera, Associate Director, Palladium Consulting India Pvt. Ltd., said, “At Palladium, we are committed to creating sustainable value chains and enabling inclusive economic growth. Through these MoUs and our partnership with the Government of Odisha, we aim to unlock the state’s agricultural potential, provide farmers with global market opportunities, and strengthen Odisha’s position in the export ecosystem.”

These MoUs aim to bolster the export

Climate, Environment, R&D, Sustainability, Sustainable Energy

Odisha’s Deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo highlights state’s lead in sustainable agricultural reforms at a policy roundtable, collaborating with IFPRI and NPS

Odisha is set to lead the way in inclusive and sustainable agricultural reforms, and innovative ideas and collaborations will shape a resilient agricultural future, the state’s Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo has said. He was speaking at a policy roundtable titled Advancing Inclusive Agricultural Transformation in Odisha, which brought together over 100 participants, including policymakers, researchers, and development practitioners, to exchange ideas and strategies for sustainable agricultural transformation. The Odisha government held the roundtable in collaboration with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the CGIAR Initiative on National Policies and Strategies (NPS) on Friday.

The roundtable underscored the state’s innovative approach to agricultural development, showcasing its potential to be a global model for inclusive and sustainable growth.

Deo reaffirmed Odisha’s commitment to equitable growth.

“Odisha is poised to lead the way in inclusive and sustainable agricultural reforms. The ideas and collaborations fostered today will shape a resilient agricultural future where every farmer can thrive,” Deo said.

Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, emphasised the sector’s focus on innovation and inclusivity.

He highlighted the need to scale successful strategies to ensure tangible benefits for farmers, positioning Odisha as a frontrunner in sustainable agricultural practices.

“Odisha’s agriculture sector stands at the forefront of innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability. We are scaling these successes and ensuring that every farmer benefits from our shared vision. Together, we can make Odisha a model state for sustainable and inclusive agricultural growth,” Padhee said.

The roundtable discussions revolved around five critical themes vital for inclusive agricultural growth.

IFPRI South Asia Director Shahidur Rashid stressed the significance of evidence-based strategies to address challenges and create benchmarks for the region’s growth.

“The roundtable underscores the potential of evidence-based strategies to address challenges and harness opportunities for inclusive agricultural growth in Odisha. The discussions today will set benchmarks for the region,” Rashid said.

A key outcome of the event was the decision to establish an advisory group comprising representatives from the Odisha government, IFPRI, and other technical partners.

This group will refine and implement Inclusive Agricultural Transformation (IAT) indicators, aligning them with Odisha’s long-term development goals.

Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Commissioner cum Secretary, Department of Cooperation, highlighted the importance of market linkages in empowering smallholder farmers. He emphasised the role of FPOs in ensuring equitable market access, enabling farmers to secure fair prices and improve their livelihoods. Monica Priyadarshini, Director of Mission Shakti, highlighted the transformative role of women’s collectives in promoting agricultural growth and strengthening rural livelihoods. She noted that women’s empowerment through Mission Shakti has been instrumental in driving inclusive and sustainable development across the state. The roundtable also focused on strategies to enhance climate resilience, including soil and water management, crop diversification, and adaptive practices to mitigate climate risks.

As the event concluded, participants expressed optimism about the potential for collaboration and innovation in Odisha’s agricultural sector.

Odisha's Deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo

Agribusiness, AgroPolicy, Climate, Environment, Institutions, Interaction, R&D, Sustainability

This compendium, developed through Govt of Odisha partnership with ICRISAT, is an essential tool for scaling regenerative agriculture practices tailored to the local context, especially for key crops such as millets, pulses, and oilseeds

A ‘Compendium of Regenerative Agriculture’ developed by ICRISAT in partnership with the Government of Odisha was launched on 10 November 2024 during the International Symposium on Shree Anna and Forgotten Foods held in Bhubaneshwar. This high-level event was graced by prominent dignitaries, including the Chief Minister of Odisha Mohan Charan Majhi, and his entourage of officials.

The publication was officially released by Dr Arabinda K Padhee, Principal Secretary of Agriculture, Odisha, Mr Hemant Sharma, Principal Secretary of MSME and Energy, Odisha, Dr Tara Satyavathi, Director of ICAR-IIMR, and Dr ML Jat, Research Program Director of Resilient Farm and Food Systems. This resource, a product of ICRISAT’s innovation project on carbon credits supported by the Department of Agriculture and Farmer’s Empowerment, Government of Odisha, aligns with the CGIAR Initiative on Agroecology and serves as a roadmap for sustainable agricultural transformation.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Padhee stated that as the global community renews its focus on regenerative agriculture, Odisha is leading science-based agricultural transformation.

“The Government of Odisha’s commitment to regenerative agriculture is a decisive step toward a resilient and sustainable future—one that nurtures farmers’ livelihoods, restores ecosystems, and strengthens communities,” said Dr Stanford Blade, Director General-Interim and Deputy Director General-Research, ICRISAT.

The publication highlights five key principles of regenerative agriculture: minimizing soil disturbance, maximizing crop diversity, maintaining soil cover, keeping living roots year-round, and integrating livestock. Each principle is explored in-depth, emphasizing its role in enhancing soil health, increasing carbon sequestration, and building resilience against climate challenges. By providing a holistic view of these practices, the compendium underscores the importance of moving beyond traditional farming techniques to cultivate healthier ecosystems.

It was a proud moment for ICRISAT when Rajput GPLF from Koraput district was honored as one of the top three Self Help Groups for its millet-based enterprises. In collaboration with Odisha Livelihoods Mission (OLM) and Mission Shakti, ICRISAT helped establish the millet processing unit in Koraput, operated by Rajput GPLF. Since 2023, this unit has provided nutritious meals to over 3,500 children. This recognition highlights the impactful collaboration between ICRISAT, the community, and state and district initiatives in advancing nutrition and food security.

Over 400 participants, including representatives from FAO, WFP, CGIAR, ICAR, and Farmer Producer Organizations, attended the event in Odisha.

This compendium, developed through Govt of Odisha

Agro Universities, Collaborations, Foodgrains, India, R&D

A three-year collaboration will focus on the introduction and scaling of bio-fortified, low glycemic index, and premium quality rice varieties.

 The state of Odisha produced nearly 11 million tons of rice in 2021, considerably contributing to the national food reserve and meeting the staple requirement of around 45 million of its population. The focus of the government has now shifted to diversify the state’s food basket to include healthier choices for consumers by mainstreaming nutritious rice varieties with high zinc, iron, protein, and low Glycaemic Index (GI) traits.

These high yielding nutritious rice varieties have great market potential and may be positioned as a premium product segment which could generate higher demand and economic value to producers. Varietal awareness, systematic seed access, a robust supply chain, and adoption in scale will be crucial for the sustenance and uptake of these rice varieties and create economies of scale. The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha, recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to accelerate the production of these varieties and explore its potential to improve consumer health outcomes, strengthen the formal and local seed systems, and create new market linkages for the wide scale production and distribution of new specialty rice varieties in Odisha.

Signed by Prem Chandra Chaudhary, Director of Agriculture and Food Production and IRRI Interim Director General Dr Ajay Kohli, the three-year collaboration will focus on the introduction and scaling of bio-fortified, low glycaemic index, and premium quality rice varieties. The project will be implemented under the overall supervision of IRRI Scientist and Principal Investigator, Dr Swati Nayak, South Asia Lead for Seed Systems.

The project will be implemented in the districts of Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Ganjam, and Bolangir, with an expected annual direct participation of some 5,000 farmer producers and coverage and production area of 2,000 hectares. At the end of the project cycle, the project will have covered a total of 15,000 farmers and 6,000 hectares and connected with several institutions, channels, and consumer markets.

Speaking on the rising importance of specialty rice in India, Dr Kohli remarked: “Odisha’s revised agriculture agenda calls for a rice sector that is profitable and demand-driven. Rice is no longer just a simple staple. It needs to add more value to farmers and consumers and that can happenthrough value-added traits for improved nutrition and health benefits. The renewed interest and policy focus of the state government acts as an enabler in the right direction.”

In order to generate production at scale, the formal and semi-formal seed system will be strategically supported for institutional engagement and ownership for seed scaling of selected specialty varieties. With evidence generated through season-long on-farm testing of past and ongoing efforts, the key healthier varieties will be mainstreamed with the help of state seed corporations and community-owned seed networks for mass production. Leveraging regional cooperation policies like Seeds Without Borders and partnering with Indian National Breeding Network partners, new and more promising healthier rice varieties will be introduced and scaled through the project.

“Nutrition through popularization of better germplasms and development of robust seed systems can now be achieved. We want to ensure decentralized and localized access to these products through systematic introduction, positioning, and scaling strategies for the best specialty rice varieties. This segment is immensely underexplored, both at producer and consumer levels, and we are grateful to the Government of Odisha for getting behind actionable research and programmatic interventions on this,” said Dr Nayak.

A three-year collaboration will focus on the

AgroPolicy, Sustainability

Naveen Patnaik, in his inaugural speech, acknowledged the contribution of international experts and scientists from the CGIAR in improving agriculture in the State of Odisha

The three-day Krushi Odisha 2024 conclave organised by the Government of Odisha with the theme ‘Celebrating Women in Agriculture’ was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of the State Naveen Patnaik at Janta Maidan. More than 70 per cent of the participants were women farmers and the lead women farmers were recognised and felicitated at the event.

Naveen Patnaik, in his inaugural speech, acknowledged the contribution of international experts and scientists from the CGIAR in improving agriculture in the State of Odisha.

The pre-inaugural session ‘Gender-responsive and Nutri-sensitive Food Systems – Delivering Nutrition and Health for All’ was led by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in partnership with the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT).

Commending the Government of Odisha on the initiative, the Director General of ICRISAT, Dr Jacqueline Hughes, underscored the organisation’s commitment to inclusive growth, noting that the empowerment of women in agriculture fosters positive change towards healthier food systems and a sustainable future. 

“Women in agriculture are not just contributors; they are leaders, innovators, and stewards of the land. It’s time to recognize and amplify their role in shaping the future of farming,” said Prof Pravat Kumar Roul.

“We need to work hand-in-hand with female farmers who are critical in shaping the diets of the family – empowering women farmers not only empowers current families but safeguards future families through improved health and nutrition in children,” said Dr Sean Mayes.

Naveen Patnaik, in his inaugural speech, acknowledged

AgroPolicy, India, Interaction

The recently concluded World Food India 2023 event witnessed Odisha’s remarkable showcase of its diverse food products, innovative technologies, and promising investment opportunities.

During the inauguration event in Bharat Mandapam, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi praised the participation of women in food processing sector and released Rs 10.41 crores for 3,570 SHG members in Odisha through one click disbursement as seed capital component under PMFME Scheme. The credit will help these SHGs expand their operations, enhance productivity, and access the requisite resources to formalize and grow their businesses within the food processing sector.

The Odisha Pavilion, led by the Government of Odisha, with Palladium as the Knowledge Partner, emerged as one of the event’s major attractions, drawing a significant influx of visitors with its beautiful outlook representing the rich heritage of the state. Pratap Keshari Deb, Minister Industry, MSME &Energy Department visited the pavilion and interacted with the exhibitors. He praised the contributions of the local entrepreneurs, technologies and their products, including the award-winning coffee, locally grounded masalas, and canned Rasagolas.

Furthermore, a dedicated state session hosted by the Odisha Government, attended by Pratap Keshari Deb, Minister, Industry, MSME and Energy Department, Saswat Mishra, IAS, Principal Secretary, MSME Department, and Md. Sadique Alam, IAS, Director Industries, emphasized Odisha’s rising status as an emerging destination for the food processing sector and outlined the numerous opportunities within the Agribusiness & Food Processing Sector in the state.

Reflecting on Odisha’s participation in World Food India 2023, Bibhuti Bhushana Dash, Special Secretary, MSME Department, Government of Odisha, said “Odisha has made significant progress in the food processing sector in recent years. Odisha is one of the fastest growing economies in India as it is becoming a “destination of choice” for businesses. Our participation in World Food India 2023 was a resounding success, generating an appreciable amount of proposed investment and business interest.

World Food India 2023 provided a global platform for businesses to network, collaborate, and explore new opportunities in the food sector. Odisha’s participation exemplified the state’s leading role in the food processing industry, positioning it as a preferred destination for prospective investments in the sector.

The recently concluded World Food India 2023

Agro Universities, Agrotech, Climate, India, R&D

This project will engage IRRI, DA&FE and Odisha State Disaster Management Agency in a triangular partnership to support the overall drought mitigation strategy in the state.

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment (DA & FE), Government of Odisha signed a bilateral Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on 29 August 2023 in Bhubaneswar to understand the dynamics of drought in Odisha and its impact and identify the mitigation options for smallholder farmers through a new pilot project launched.

The agreement was signed between Prem Charan Chaudhary, Director, Agriculture and Food Production, Odisha on behalf of the DA & FE and Dr Swati Nayak, Scientist and South Asia Lead – Seed Systems and Principal Investigator of this initiative, on behalf of Director General, IRRI.

Bolangir, Kalahandi, and Mayurbhanj are among the drought-prone districts in Odisha as identified by the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA). The project will be piloted in these three districts. If successful, the model(s) employed for drought mitigation in the three districts can be a template for the deployment of the model across Odisha as well as in other states that share similar sociological and agro-ecological environments.

IRRI has been associated with the Government of Odisha through multiple path- breaking initiatives in the past decade and continues to do so. “Supporting the government’s vision to promote, scale climate resilient varieties and a resilient agricultural system in the state has been one of our key approaches. Participatory planning, brainstorming with leading policy makers, agriculture functionaries, think tanks and researchers in state has been IRRI’s way of work all these years.  The successful engagements with the state are envisaged to reach a new milestone with this new project focused on small and marginal farmers in drought prone and drought affected districts in Odisha,” said Nayak.

This project will engage IRRI, DA&FE and Odisha State Disaster Management Agency in a triangular partnership to support the overall drought mitigation strategy in the state. Through this project, a comprehensive research and pilot experiments will be conducted to introduce, evaluate and scale drought-resilient germplasm/varieties in the state through robust community-led models and public-private partnership in seed chain. In addition, comprehensive targeting and evaluation will be done with piloted drought-resilient village clusters by integrating varietal interventions and other climate smart technologies.

After signing the MoA, Director Agriculture, Prem Charan Chaudhary while congratulating the team, stated that the new project begins a new era focusing exclusively on the state’s priority for drought mitigation and IRRI will be first among several partners to initiate this effort on ground.

This project will engage IRRI, DA&FE and

India, Sustainability

A significant step towards Mission Shakti’s vision of making Odisha a land of equal opportunities, where women are empowered to live with dignity and economic prosperity

The collaboration will initially focus on women-led enterprises from six districts i.e.,Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabrangpur, Rayagada, Mayurbhanj and Kendujhar, and is expected to benefit nearly 20 Lakh women across the six districts in 3 years.

Indian School of Business (ISB) and Department of Mission Shakti, Government of Odisha signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enable women’s economic empowerment and rural prosperity through a robust forest economy.

The MoU was signed by Ashwini Chhatre, Executive Director – Bharti Institute of Public Policy (BIPP), Indian School of Business, and Sujatha Karthikeyan, IAS, Commissioner- cum-Secretary, Department of Mission Shakti, Government of Odisha. The signed copies of the MoU were exchanged in the presence of the Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, at the Make in Odisha Conclave in Bhubaneswar.

This MoU marks a significant step towards Mission Shakti’s vision of making Odisha a land of equal opportunities, where women are empowered to live with dignity and economic prosperity.

Under this three-year MoU, ISB & Mission Shakti will collaborate to build a prosperous and sustainable forest economy in Odisha through women-led community enterprises, starting with the districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabrangpur, Rayagada, Mayurbhanj and Kendujhar. Speaking on the collaboration with Mission Shakti, Ashwini Chhatre, Executive Director – Bharti Institute of Public Policy (BIPP), Indian School of Business, said, “The forest economy, anchored in secure tenure, and built on women-centric community owned enterprises, is a triple-win model; with the potential to transform the lives of nearly 2 million women in the six districts, benefitting industry with secure, visible, traceable, and sustainable sources of supply and, ensuring sustainable management of forest landscapes”. “It is a win for the people, profits and the planet”, he said.

The MoU will strengthen Mission Shakti’s ongoing efforts at women’s empowerment through ISB’s business expertise and experience. ISB’s model for boosting the forest economy in Odisha combines large-scale women-led community enterprises built as federations of Women’s Self-Help Groups (WSHGs), Community Forest Resource Rights’ (CFR) titles at the village level in forest landscapes, technology support for harnessing economies of scale through aggregation and mechanisation, and direct market linkage with large buyers of forest-based industrial raw materials.

Mission Shakti will facilitate mobilisation of the Women Self Help Groups (WSHGs) and implementation of Community Forest Resource Rights across the six districts, acting as the nodal department within Govt of Odisha in enabling this model in the state. Along with facilitating technology development and direct market linkage, ISB will work with Mission Shakti a) to operationalise security of tenure through CFR titles, and b) for capacity building, financial inclusion and skill development of WSHGs such that successful women-led community owned enterprises are established by the end of three years.

ISB-BIPP’s Initiative on the Forest Economy (IoFE), built on three pillars of security of tenure, economies of scale, and assured market linkages, aspires to build a landscape-scale sustainable and thriving forest economy by enabling sustainable management of forests and improved livelihoods for over 200 million forest-dependent people across India.

With pilots currently in Malkangiri district in Odisha as well as in Jharkhand and Himachal Pradesh, the model is now ready to scale up and scale out rapidly.

A significant step towards Mission Shakti's vision