Odisha Leads Dialogue on Reviving Neglected Crops and Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Rural Agriculture

Bhubaneswar: A series of insightful sessions in Bhubaneswar recently highlighted the state’s efforts to revive neglected crops and empower women entrepreneurs, with a focus on sustainable agriculture, food security, and climate resilience. Organized in collaboration with Mission Shakti and supported by various organizations, the event brought together prominent leaders, experts, and progressive farmers to discuss strategies for promoting forgotten foods and enhancing women’s role in rural entrepreneurship.

The event commenced with a session on “Marketing & Entrepreneurship on Neglected Crops/Forgotten Food by Women Entrepreneurs/WSHG.” Chaired by Pravati Parida, Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha and Minister of Women and Child Development, Mission Shakti, and Tourism, the session honored three exceptional Women Self-Help Groups (WSHGs) for their contributions to local food systems. Dr. Gouri Shankar Sahoo from OUAT and Pyari Tutti, a woman farmer from Simlipal, Mayurbhanj, spoke on value-added indigenous crops, encouraging women to harness entrepreneurial opportunities in this sector.

Another key session, organized with Bioversity International, focused on “Community Experiences and Best Practices on Organic Cultivation of Neglected Crops.” Chaired by Dr. J.C. Rana, Country Director of Bioversity International, the session showcased global and regional practices in sustainable farming. Dr. Rana underscored the need for a national policy to revive Shree Anna and other forgotten foods, while experts like Walter Simon de Boef from Wageningen University shared community case studies from regions across Africa and South America, inspiring local stakeholders to adopt similar models.

In collaboration with the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), discussions on “Promotion of Suitable Neglected Crops for Large Scale Cultivation and Seed Production” highlighted ways to expand neglected crop cultivation in Odisha’s Global Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) regions. Dr. K. S. Varaprasad, former ICAR Director, led the session, exploring participatory seed production and the revival of local food systems. Speakers encouraged community-driven approaches to seed conservation and the preservation of indigenous knowledge.

A session on “Long-term Approach for Sustainability of Millet Service Centre (MSC),” conducted with APICOL, focused on bolstering millet production and processing. Prem Chandra Chaudhary, IAS, Managing Director of APICOL, shared plans for Millet Service Centres to support end-to-end millet processing and marketing, with an emphasis on sustainable business models for FPOs and WSHGs.

The event also delved into “Culinary History & Community Engagement of Forgotten Foods,” co-hosted by the Institute of Hotel Management, Bhubaneswar, and the Hotels & Restaurants Association of Odisha (HRAO). This session explored the culinary and cultural legacy of neglected foods, with discussions led by notable experts like Dr. Jayahari KM from FOLU, and Jitu Mishra, an archaeologist and heritage walk leader. Speakers discussed the importance of integrating traditional foods into mainstream cuisine and culinary education, promoting forgotten foods like millet through hotels, restaurants, and tourism.

The event concluded with enthusiastic discussions, uniting farmers, chefs, hoteliers, and researchers. The insights gathered at this event emphasize Odisha’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, rural entrepreneurship, and the preservation of indigenous crops, aiming to build a resilient food system that values both cultural heritage and environmental sustainability.