Odisha Launches Major Scheme to Revive Traditional Crops and Forgotten Food Culture

Bhubaneswar, June 18 : In a significant step toward preserving its agricultural heritage, the Odisha government has launched a comprehensive scheme titled “Revival and Sustainable Intensification of Forgotten Food & Neglected Crops in Odisha.” The initiative, officially announced on Wednesday, aims to rejuvenate traditional food systems and crop varieties across the state, particularly among tribal and rural communities.

The scheme, developed under the guidance of Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Minister K.V. Singh Deo, is focused on the conservation, cultivation, value addition, marketing, and knowledge-sharing of neglected crops. With formal approval from the government, implementation will begin in the 2025–26 financial year and continue through 2029–30.

Odisha is globally recognized for its rich agro-biodiversity, especially in regions like Koraput, designated a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Site. The state is home to 64 tribal communities that have long preserved and cultivated diverse crops including tubers, pulses, oilseeds, leafy greens, and wild fruits.

“This initiative is designed to benefit around 60,000 farmers, particularly those from tribal regions, and to restore Odisha’s legacy of sustainable food systems,” officials said.

The scheme also honors the legacy of Padma Shri awardees Kamala Pujari, Sabarmatee, Professor Radhamohan, and Patayat Sahoo, who have been champions of indigenous seed and plant conservation. A key highlight is the introduction of the Kamala Pujari Participatory Research Fellowship, which will fund efforts to document traditional knowledge and neglected crop varieties.

Key Components of the Scheme:

• Germplasm collection and documentation of traditional food cultures and indigenous techniques.
• Community-based conservation efforts, including support for custodian farmers and live seed banks.
• Incentives for cultivating traditional landraces, backed by technical assistance.
• Post-harvest processing and value addition infrastructure to improve marketability.
• Awareness campaigns across rural and urban areas to promote traditional food systems.
• Market facilitation through FPOs, Women Self-Help Groups, and potential export avenues.
• Collaborative research frameworks to strengthen knowledge exchange and protect farmers’ rights.

Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, noted that the program would lead to increased crop availability, nutritional profiling, traditional recipe documentation, and the development of an open digital knowledge platform.

“The ultimate goal is to position Odisha as a global model for the revival of forgotten foods and neglected crops, drawing from community wisdom and sustainable agricultural practices,” he added.

With its holistic and inclusive approach, the scheme is expected to not only conserve Odisha’s rich crop diversity but also strengthen rural livelihoods, promote food security, and rekindle pride in the state’s culinary and farming traditions.