Odisha Signs Twin MoUs to Strengthen Agricultural Value Chains and Expand Digital Advisory Services

Bhubaneswar: In a major step toward modernising agriculture and improving farmer outreach, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment (DAFE), Government of Odisha, on Sunday signed two important Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) focusing on value chain development and digital extension services.

The first MoU was signed with Heifer International to promote value chain development for ginger, turmeric and millets (Shree Anna) in Odisha, with a special focus on improving farmer incomes, strengthening market linkages and supporting climate-resilient agriculture, particularly in underserved regions such as Koraput district.

The second MoU was executed between the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, the Department of Fisheries & Animal Resources Development (FARD), and M/s Tatwa Technologies Ltd. for the operation, management and maintenance of the State’s mobile-based digital extension platform—Krushi Samrudhi Helpline. The partnership aims to enhance last-mile delivery of real-time crop, livestock, fisheries and weather advisories through a farmer-centric digital ecosystem.

The MoUs were signed in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, and Fisheries & Animal Resources Development and MSME Minister, Gokulananda Mallik, underscoring the State government’s commitment to inclusive agricultural growth and technology-led service delivery.

Addressing the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Singh Deo said the two agreements would help the government “reach the unreached” and ensure timely assistance to farmers. He appreciated Heifer International’s intervention in Koraput, calling it a rare and commendable effort in a district that often remains neglected. “Such initiatives will enhance farmers’ incomes while strengthening climate-resilient agriculture in tribal and remote areas,” he said.

FARD Minister Gokulananda Mallik highlighted the growing importance of real-time livestock advisories, noting that technology-driven information has significantly benefited farmers and livestock rearers across the State.

Providing details on the digital advisory platform, Principal Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, said Krushi Samrudhi Helpline is a toll-free phone-based service that currently supports over 80 lakh farmers. The platform delivers advisories covering 70 crop types, 11 livestock categories and three fisheries practices. Since its inception, it has disseminated over 95 crore crop advisories, 40 crore livestock advisories, 5 crore fisheries advisories, and 26 crore weather and scheme-related messages.

As part of the broader collaboration, Heifer International has partnered with Odisha government under the Public Private Partnership for Agriculture Value Chain Development (PPPAVCD) project in Koraput district. The initiative aims to modernise agriculture by leveraging artificial intelligence, satellite data and digital platforms to improve market intelligence and enable data-driven decision-making for farmers.

Speaking on the occasion, Rina Soni, Executive Director, Passing Gifts, reiterated the organisation’s commitment to building a market-oriented and resilient agricultural system in Odisha. Akshaya Biswal, Program Director – Odisha, Passing Gifts, said the partnership would strengthen Koraput’s agricultural value chains and place women farmers at the centre of growth.

The initiative is expected to reduce production and marketing risks, improve post-harvest management and value addition, and create a more inclusive, market-responsive and future-ready agricultural ecosystem in the State.