Empowering Odisha women entrepreneurs through rice and millet innovation

The initiative reaffirmed the commitment of the ISARC Centre of Excellence in Rice Value Addition (CERVA) unit to providing technical guidance, capacity-building initiatives, and market linkages to bolster Odisha’s rice value chain

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC), Varanasi, successfully hosted a transformative training program focused on rice cookie production and micro-enterprise development. Under the project “Promoting Self-Help Group Led Entrepreneurship through Rice Value Addition”, the immersive activity brought together 20 Women Self-Help Group (SHG) members from Odisha and two officials nominated by the Department of Mission Shakti, Government of Odisha.

Over five intensive days, participants delved into hands-on training on paddy processing, cookie production, packaging, storage, and business development. They learned to create innovative products, including Kalajeera rice and millet cookies, utilizing advanced techniques such as wire-cut and dropping machines. The program also highlighted branding, cost-benefit analysis, and strategies for market success.

This initiative highlights the collaborative efforts of ISARC, the Department of Mission Shakti, and other partners in strengthening Odisha’s agricultural economy by enhancing rice value addition and enabling women SHGs as key drivers of sustainable growth.

“The learning of SHG members must translate into transformative progress, evolving from Self-Help Groups to Small and Medium Enterprises. The Government will ensure robust credit support to facilitate this growth. I extend my heartfelt thanks to IRRI and the entire project team for empowering SHG members with valuable training in rice product development. Together with the Department of Mission Shakti, the Government remains committed to moving in a positive direction and continuing its support to IRRI’s initiatives. I urge SHG members to utilize their learnings effectively and work towards setting up facilities within their respective districts, paving the way for sustainable development and economic empowerment,” said Joint Secretary, Department of Mission Shakti (DMS), Sailendra Kumar Jena. Chief guest Prof. Anil Chauhan, Head of Dairy Science and Food Technology at Banaras Hindu University, also lauded the initiative.

Participants expressed enthusiasm about the training’s practical benefits and their plans to transform local resources into market-ready products. The program, supported by IRRI resource persons Dr. Hameeda Itagi and Dr. Vikram Patil, spotlighted entrepreneurship as a pathway to resilient communities and livelihoods.

Dr. Sudhanshu Singh, Director of ISARC, emphasized the significance of such initiatives in driving inclusive growth aligned with sustainable development goals. He encouraged participants to leverage their newly acquired skills to establish thriving micro-enterprises, enhancing the value, particularly of locally-sourced Kalajeera rice and millets.

The initiative reaffirmed the commitment of the ISARC Centre of Excellence in Rice Value Addition (CERVA) unit to providing technical guidance, capacity-building initiatives, and market linkages to bolster Odisha’s rice value chain. “Empowered women empower communities. The skills gained here will not only transform your lives but also contribute to the broader development of Odisha’s agricultural landscape,” said IRRI research lead for Consumer-driven Grain Quality and Nutrition and Head of CERVA, Dr. Nese Sreenivasulu.

The initiative reaffirmed the commitment of the