Her Excellency, the Ambassador of Norway to India, visited the Resilience Project sites in Cuttack, Odisha

Ms. May-Elin Stener, Her Excellency, the Honourable Ambassador of Norway to India, and Dr. Ivar H. Kristensen, Director General of NIBIO, along with scientists from NIBIO, visited the RESILIENCE project sites in Cuttack, Odisha, on 16th September 2024. They visited four clusters where various climate-resilient technologies are being implemented, including Dry Direct-Seeded Rice, Real-Time N Management Practices (such as RiceNxpert and Leaf Colour Chart (LCC)-based N Management Practices), Agroecological Intensification through Crop Diversification (Rice-Maize and Rice-Vegetables), Climate-Smart Water Management Practices (like Alternate Wetting and Drying, Drip Irrigation, and Deep Borewell Facilities), Integrated Pest Management, Agroforestry, and Income-Generating Activities.

A farmer interaction program was organized where both male and female farmers shared their experiences and discussed how they have benefited from the RESILIENCE project by adopting various Climate-Smart Agriculture technologies.

After the field visit, the team also visited the Village Knowledge Centre (VKC) established at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Santhapur, Cuttack. At the VKC, the Plant Clinic programme was demonstrated, and it was explained how different digital tools such as mobile-based audio advisories, farmer helpline services, audio conferences, and video-based learning are utilized for farmer-expert interactions, capacity building, and knowledge management. The handing over of the VKC MoU was signed in the presence of the team members. They also visited the experimental fields and other facilities at the NRRI.