#Odisha

Odisha Leads the Charge in Inclusive and Sustainable Agricultural Reforms

Deputy CM Singh Deo Emphasizes Market Linkages for Smallholder Farmers

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is poised to set an example in inclusive and sustainable agricultural reforms, with a focus on empowering farmers and creating a resilient agricultural future, Deputy Chief Minister K.V. Singh Deo announced at a policy roundtable on Friday.

Speaking at the event titled “Advancing Inclusive Agricultural Transformation in Odisha,” Singh Deo emphasized the state government’s dedication to equitable agricultural growth. “Market linkages are critical for empowering smallholder farmers. Through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), we are ensuring farmers have better access to markets, enabling them to secure fair prices and improve livelihoods,” he stated.

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The roundtable, organized in collaboration with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and the CGIAR Initiative on National Policies and Strategies (NPS), brought together over 100 participants, including government officials, researchers, development practitioners, and international experts. The forum highlighted Odisha’s leadership in leveraging inclusive approaches for agricultural transformation and provided a platform for South-South knowledge exchange.

Principal Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, praised Odisha’s progress, saying, “The state’s agriculture sector is at the forefront of innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability. Together, we can make Odisha a model state for sustainable and inclusive agricultural growth.”

The discussions at the roundtable centered around five key themes:

  1. Inclusive Agricultural Transformation
  2. Enhancing Market Access
  3. Strengthening Climate Resilience
  4. Empowering Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)
  5. Advancing Data Integrity

Dr. Shahidur Rashid, South Asia Director at IFPRI, remarked, “The roundtable showcases the potential of evidence-based strategies to address challenges and harness opportunities for inclusive agricultural growth in Odisha.”

The event concluded with a commitment to forming an Advisory Group, comprising representatives from the Government of Odisha, IFPRI, and technical partners, to refine and implement Inclusive Agricultural Transformation (IAT) indicators. This step aligns with Odisha’s long-term development goals.

Director of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Sri Prem Chandra Chaudhary, emphasized that the roundtable set a strong precedent for fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing. “Odisha’s agriculture system is transforming into a resilient, equitable, and market-linked system, and this policy roundtable is pivotal in achieving that vision,” he said.

Odisha’s efforts to integrate innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity in agriculture reaffirm its position as a leader in agricultural transformation, setting a model for regions worldwide.

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