Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Friday launched a major initiative to combat the impacts of drought on agriculture and build long-term climate resilience in vulnerable regions.
The Odisha Agriculture Drought Mitigation Programme (OADMP), a Rs 41.50 crore project funded primarily through the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) under the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), was formally inaugurated during the inception workshop and inaugural ceremony of Krushi Odisha-2026 in Bhubaneswar.
The launch featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) among the partners, emphasising science-led planning, inter-agency convergence, and community ownership to ensure effective on-ground implementation. It will be initially implemented in three selected blocks: Komna in Nuapada district, Kosagumuda in Nabarangpur district, and Raruan in Mayurbhanj district. These areas are particularly susceptible to water scarcity and erratic rainfall. The initiative targets smallholder farmers, marginal farmers, tribal communities, women, and youth. It is expected to benefit around 24,000 households, strengthening their livelihoods and reducing migration.
Technical expertise and support for the programme will be provided by leading institutions, including International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), and the ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA).
The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment will serve as the nodal agency.
Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, who holds the agriculture portfolio, stressed the importance of proactive drought management. “Building resilience is essential for protecting livelihoods and strengthening the rural economy,” he said, urging all stakeholders to collaborate closely for successful execution.
Agriculture secretary Arabinda Kumar Padhee described OADMP as the first programme of its kind funded by NDMA specifically for drought mitigation. He highlighted its focus on innovative, evidence-based approaches to transform vulnerable landscapes into resilient agricultural systems.
Vice Chancellor of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) Dr Pravat Kumar Roul, representatives from NDMA, Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), India Meteorological Department (IMD); scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs); and senior state officials were present.
