Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards climate-proofing its agricultural sector, the state government on Thursday launched the Odisha Agriculture Drought Mitigation Programme (OADMP).
Signed under the framework of the National Drought Mitigation Project (NDMP), this Rs 141.50 crore initiative represents a paradigm shift from reactive disaster relief to a proactive, science-led resilience model, officials said.
The Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo at Krushi Odisha 2026 inaugural session. The project is a collaborative powerhouse, bringing together the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), and international research giants including ICRISAT, IRRI, and ICAR-CRIDA.
Departing from traditional “scheme-wise” fixes, the OADMP adopts a “landscape-first” strategy. The programme integrates water, soil, and crop management across entire village clusters to ensure that interventions reinforce one another. “This project moves beyond temporary aid. We are building a system where science leads the way—from the farm to the entire value chain, said Additional Chief Secretary of DAFE, Arabinda Kumar Padhee.
The MoA aims at total funding of Rs 141.50 crore sourced through the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) and State Government funds. Immediate implementation in three high-vulnerable blocks: Komna (Nuapada), Kosagumuda (Nabarangpur), and Raruan (Mayurbhanj). Reaching 24,000 households directly, with thousands more benefiting through convergence with existing state and central schemes. A real-time digital dashboard will track progress—from soil moisture levels to household income ensuring total transparency and data-driven scaling.
The programme aims to deliver steadier yields and higher cropping intensity by introducing drought-tolerant seed varieties and distributed water recharge systems maintained by the community. Furthermore, it empowers Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) by improving their access to modern mechanization and high-value markets.
The MoA was signed by Shubham Saxena (Director of Agriculture & FP, Odisha) alongside Himanshu Pathak (Director General, ICRISAT), V K Singh (Director, ICAR-CRIDA), and Swati Nayak (South Asia Lead, IRRI). With this launch, Odisha reinforces its position as a national leader in disaster management and climate-resilient agriculture, setting a blueprint for other drought-prone states across India.
