Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Watershed Support Service and Activities Network (WASSAN) as programme secretariat to revive forgotten foods and neglected crops in the state.
The Rs 247.024 crore initiative aims to preserve and promote traditional crops and indigenous seed varieties in 25 biodiversity-rich blocks across 15 districts. These places include Gandhamardhan, Niyamgiri, Sunabeda, Satkosia, Gupteswar, Malyagiri and Similipal.
The main objective of this programme is to preserve and promote traditional crops and
indigenous seed varieties that are disappearing from the current agriculture. The implementation period of the scheme is for the five years (2025-26 to 2029-30) with an outlay of Rs. 247. 024 Crore, an official statement said.
Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo emphasised, “Food keeps the tradition alive, its protection is the protection of our tradition.” The project will focus on conservation, documentation, and commercialization of neglected crops, benefiting local farmers and communities.
The initiative aligns with Odisha’s efforts to promote sustainable agriculture and preserve its rich biodiversity. The main objectives are conservation and documentation of neglected crops, multiplication of the traditional and indigenous varieties, revival of neglected crops, establishment of State Resource Centres, Kamala Pujari fellowship programme, farmer field schools, nutrition profiling on traditional foods, value addition and commercialization of various food items prepared from forgotten crops.