New Delhi: The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Odisha to support climate-resilient farming under the National Drought Mitigation Programme (NDMP). The MoU was signed during Krushi Odisha 2026, the state’s flagship agriculture event organised by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment (DAFE).
The three-day event was inaugurated on January 22, 2026, at Krushi Bhavan, Bhubaneswar, and marked the official launch of the Odisha Agriculture Drought Mitigation Programme (OADMP).
MoU Signed in Presence of Senior Leaders and Experts
The MoU signing took place in the presence of Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and senior officials from the Odisha government, national and international research institutions, and academia.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Himanshu Pathak, Director General of ICRISAT, praised Odisha’s inclusive and integrated agricultural approach, calling it a model for the rest of India.
“What is particularly commendable is Odisha’s strategic shift under the State Agriculture Policy 2020—from focusing only on production to building systems that are remunerative, resilient, and nutrition-focused,” said Dr Pathak.
Odisha’s Journey from Importing to Exporting State
Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo credited Odisha’s farmers for the state’s transformation from a food-importing region to a self-sufficient and exporting agricultural state.
“Inclusivity can be achieved only when policy, education, industry, farmers, and scientists work together for integrated development,” he said.
ICRISAT Showcases Innovation at Krushi Odisha 2026
During the event, ICRISAT showcased its solar-powered water hyacinth harvester, which was recognized among the top three exhibits. The innovation highlights sustainable solutions for water management and agricultural resilience.
Krushi Odisha 2026 brought together farmers, policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders, serving as a key platform to promote innovation and collaboration in agriculture.
High-Level Technical Session on Pulses and Oilseeds Self-Reliance
ICRISAT also organised a high-level technical session on “Making Odisha Atmanirbhar in Pulses and Oilseeds” on January 23, 2026.
The session was co-chaired by Dr Stanford Blade, Deputy Director General – Research & Innovation, ICRISAT, and Ms Litty Patnaik, Additional Director of Agriculture (Extension), Government of Odisha.
Key experts from ICRISAT, ICAR institutes, IRRI, and the seed industry discussed strategies such as:
- Expanding rice fallow cultivation
- Strengthening seed systems
- Deploying new high-yielding crop varieties
The session outlined a clear roadmap for Odisha to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds by 2030.
Strengthening ICRISAT–Odisha Partnership
This engagement at Krushi Odisha 2026 further strengthened ICRISAT’s long-standing partnership with Odisha, enabling knowledge sharing from ongoing projects and deeper collaboration with government departments and farmers across the state.
About ICRISAT
The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is a global agricultural research organization working to improve food security, nutrition, and livelihoods in dryland regions. Headquartered in India, ICRISAT partners with governments and institutions worldwide to promote climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable farming systems, and farmer-centric innovations.
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