Sharing of RESILIENCE Project Learning's with policy makers and farmers at an agricultural exhibition

Odisha University of Agriculture Technology (OUAT), Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) have shared the hands-on experiences on building the resilience capacity of men and women farmers in the District level Krushi Odisha Agriculture Exhibition at Ganjam District. The programme was organised by the Department of agriculture, Govt. of Odisha, organised for four days from 15th to 19th March 2021.

The context specific Climate Smart Agriculture technologies and the use of digital tools for effective agricultural extension services and capacity building was demonstrated. Similar to abiotic risks, biotic risks are also equally affecting small holders by reducing the productivity up to 25-40% and increasing the cost of cultivation by more than 20 to 25% in the climate risk prone areas of Odisha. Currently, farmers are facing challenges in getting timely scientific advisories, and depend on agro-input dealers. Here to facilitate access to farmer centric, reliable plant health information plant clinic model was successfully introduced and fine tuned with the partnership of OUAT and KVK. This model has been successfully piloted in India by Centre for Agriculture and Bio science International in collaboration with MSSRF. Besides, other digital tools such as voice mail, audio conference, video learning, helpline and social media based advisory services were displayed and explained.Mr. Rabindra Behara, MSSRF and the scientists of KVK Ganjam have explained how the plant clinics and other digital tools are helping the men and women farmers to get timely farmer centric advisories. The District Collector Mr Vijay Ambruta Kulangey IAS who visited the exhibition stall appreciated the plant clinic and other interventions of the RESILIENCE project. Mr.Durjyadhan Patnga, Chief District Agriculture Officer, Mr. Suman S Sahoo DDM, NABARD, Mr. Sindhey Datra Taya Bhausaheba PD, DRDA Sub-collector and other district level officials and about 1500 men and women farmers visited the stall. It was a good opportunity to share the key learnings of the RESILIENCE project experiences and learning among the policy makers and other stakeholders in the District.