Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government’s Mission Shakti Department on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) to strengthen women-led agri enterprises and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across the state.
The agreement was signed at Mission Shakti Bhawan in Bhubaneswar in the presence of Mission Shakti Commissioner-cum-Secretary Manasi Nimbal.
Speaking on the occasion, Nimbal said the partnership would equip women farmers with modern knowledge, scientific technologies and stronger market linkages to help them tackle the challenges posed by climate change. She expressed confidence that the collaboration would enhance the capabilities of lakhs of SHG members engaged in agriculture and contribute to the goals of Lakhpati Didi, Viksit Bharat and Viksit Odisha.
Under the partnership, district-specific agriculture-based livelihood projects will be implemented to promote sustainable farming practices and value-added enterprises.
According to an official release, one of the key initiatives will focus on clearing invasive aquatic vegetation from water bodies in Puri and Khurda districts and converting the biomass into value-added products. The initiative aims to generate sustainable livelihoods for women while improving the ecological health of local water bodies.
In Rayagada district, the programme will encourage the production of biochar from cotton stalks and pigeon pea residues. Biochar is expected to improve soil fertility while supporting carbon sequestration and climate-resilient agriculture. The project will also promote the cultivation of high-quality grafted vegetable seedlings across all three districts.
The collaboration will further provide training to women SHG members in the cultivation of millets, pulses, oilseeds and natural farming practices. ICRISAT will also support the adoption of climate-smart agricultural technologies, digital advisory services and improved seed varieties to enhance farm productivity.
To help women-led enterprises become commercially viable, the partnership will offer technical and business support in product packaging, branding and market linkages, enabling SHGs to expand their reach and improve incomes.
Mission Shakti Director Dr Monika Priyadarshini, ICRISAT Deputy Director General Dr Stanford Blade, and senior officials from Mission Shakti, Odisha Livelihoods Mission and ICRISAT were present during the signing ceremony, the release added.
