Bhubaneswar: The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment of Odisha on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Watershed Support Services and Activities Network (WASSAN) to act as programme secretariat for reviving forgotten foods and neglected crops in the State.
WASSAN is an Indian non-profit organisation that focuses on sustainable agriculture, natural resource management, and livelihood support in rainfed regions.
The initiative, with an outlay of Rs 247.024 crore, will be implemented over five years from 2025-26 to 2029-30, according to a government release.
It aims to preserve and promote traditional crops and indigenous seed varieties that are gradually disappearing from current agricultural practices.
Officials said the programme will cover 25 biodiversity-rich blocks across 15 districts, including regions such as Gandhamardhan, Niyamgiri, Sunabeda, Satkosia, Gupteswar, Malyagiri, and Similipal.
Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, who attended the signing ceremony, said food traditions play a vital role in preserving cultural heritage, and their protection ensures continuity of tradition.
The project will focus on conservation, documentation, and commercialisation of neglected crops, to benefit local farmers and communities.
The initiative aligns with the State’s efforts to promote sustainable agriculture and protect biodiversity.
It will include measures such as conservation and documentation of neglected crops, multiplication of traditional and indigenous varieties, establishment of state resource centres, implementation of the Kamala Pujari fellowship programme, farmer field schools, nutrition profiling of traditional foods, and value addition and commercialisation of food products derived from these crops.
Senior officials present during the signing included Commissioner-cum-Secretary Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav, Director of Horticulture Kalunge Gorakh Waman, Director of Soil Conservation and Watershed Development Subrat Kumar Panda, and Additional Secretary Dr. Ganeshwar Jena.
