States » EastPosted at: Nov 10 2026 8:56PM


Odisha Partners with MSSRF to transform agriculture, empower women,strengthen biodiversity conservation

Bhubaneswar, Nov 10 (UNI) In a significant move towards building a sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient agricultural economy, the Odisha Government has joined hands with the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) to strengthen agriculture, improve nutrition and health security, empower women, conserve biodiversity and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural and tribal communities.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Tuesday between the Odisha Government and MSSRF to integrate scientific research, traditional knowledge and government policies to address key developmental challenges in agriculture, nutrition, health, environment and rural livelihoods.
Under the five-year partnership, MSSRF will serve as a Technical Knowledge Partner to the state government, extending technical assistance to various departments in policy formulation, programme design, research, capacity building, innovation and scaling up successful initiatives.
The collaboration will primarily focus on promoting climate-resilient agriculture, agroecological farming practices, millets and other alternative crops, conservation of traditional seeds and agricultural biodiversity, and development of sustainable food systems.
A major thrust of the initiative will be on strengthening the role of women farmers in agricultural transformation through economic empowerment, entrepreneurship development and improved market access. Under the state's 'Subhadra Shakti' approach, women and socio-economically vulnerable households will be connected with sustainable livelihood opportunities.
The partnership will also promote biodiversity conservation, environmentally friendly farming and sustainable management of natural resources. Bio-Happiness Centres will be established in agricultural universities to encourage biodiversity management, ecological conservation and innovative approaches to sustainable development.
Special emphasis will be placed on improving nutrition and health security, strengthening local food systems and generating livelihood opportunities in tribal-dominated and remote regions of the state.
The collaboration will also address the livelihood challenges faced by small-scale fishers in coastal areas. Initiatives will include the development of the 'Fisher Friend' mobile application, expansion of digital services, improved preservation of fish products, development of value-added products and promotion of entrepreneurship among women fishers.
In addition, joint efforts will be undertaken to conserve and restore water bodies, wetlands, mangrove forests and coastal ecosystems to strengthen environmental sustainability and protect natural resources.
Recognising the challenges posed by distress migration, particularly in vulnerable regions, the partnership will focus on creating employment opportunities within local communities. Agriculture and allied activities, skill development, women-led Self-Help Group (SHG) enterprises and stronger market linkages will form key components of this strategy.
Speaking on the occasion, MSSRF Chairperson Dr. Soumya Swaminathan said the partnership would further strengthen the Foundation's longstanding relationship with Odisha and open up new avenues for collaborative efforts towards the sustainable management of natural resources.
She emphasised that the collaboration would focus on innovation, green technologies, gender equality, women's empowerment, promotion of millets and development of food-processing technologies to address emerging developmental challenges.
Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg said the initiative, is expected to provide a significant boost to Odisha's efforts to build a climate-resilient agricultural sector, strengthen rural economies, empower women and safeguard the state's rich biodiversity through a combination of scientific innovation, traditional knowledge and coordinated policy interventions.
UNI DP
Tags: #Odisha Partners with MSSRF to transform agriculture# empower women#strengthen biodiversity conservation
More News

Suvendu turns Mamata’s neighbourhood into political stage

10 Nov 2026 | 9:13 PM

Kolkata, Nov 10 (UNI) Turning the narrow lanes of Harish Chatterjee Street into an unlikely political stage, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday walked past the residence of his predecessor Mamata Banerjee, stopping at one Kali Puja pandal after another, greeting residents, exchanging pleasantries with elderly people, showering affection on children and obliging neighbours with autographs.

see more..

Odisha Partners with MSSRF to transform agriculture, empower women,strengthen biodiversity conservation

10 Nov 2026 | 8:56 PM

Bhubaneswar, Nov 10 (UNI) In a significant move towards building a sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient agricultural economy, the Odisha Government has joined hands with the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) to strengthen agriculture, improve nutrition and health security, empower women, conserve biodiversity and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural and tribal communities.

see more..

Bihar cabinet approves Rs 190 32-Cr AI project, sanctions startup scheme for girls

10 Nov 2026 | 8:56 PM

Patna, Nov 10 (UNI) The Bihar Cabinet has approved a series of major proposals covering artificial intelligence, disaster management, education, employment, infrastructure, irrigation, tourism and administrative reforms, including an allocation of Rs 190.32 crore for strengthening the state's artificial intelligence ecosystem.

see more..

Meghalaya ropeway standoff: JAC demands scrapping of project, hesitant to attend minister’s stakeholder meet

10 Nov 2026 | 8:36 PM

Shillong, Nov 10 (UNI) The Joint Action Committee (JAC) on Tuesday reiterated that its indefinite sit-in will continue until the Meghalaya government completely abandons the Rs 151 crore Shillong ropeway project.

see more..

Odisha Governor calls for Millet consumption in every household

10 Nov 2026 | 8:30 PM

Bhubaneswar, Nov 10 (UNI) Emphasising the importance of healthy eating, sustainable agriculture and preservation of indigenous farming traditions, Odisha Governor Brajmohan Ram on Tuesday urged people, particularly youth, students and government employees, to make millets an integral part of their daily diet and support the conservation of traditional seeds.

see more..