Bhubaneswar: Strengthening its efforts to stabilise farm incomes and streamline agricultural marketing, the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) has procured 128.30 metric tonnes of tomatoes from multiple districts under a targeted intervention programme.
Implemented under the Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department, the initiative sourced tomatoes from Ganjam, Cuttack, Angul, Jharsuguda, and Jagatsinghpur. The produce was mobilised through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and subsequently supplied to Bharat Masala for processing.
Cuttack emerged as the largest contributor with 53 metric tonnes, followed by Ganjam (33.80 tonnes), Angul (20 tonnes), Jharsuguda (18 tonnes), and Jagatsinghpur (3.50 tonnes).
Officials noted that the programme has helped farmers secure assured buyers and fair prices, reducing the impact of market volatility. By facilitating bulk procurement and direct linkages with processors, the initiative has minimised the chances of distress sales.
At the same time, the model has empowered SHGs and FPOs by enhancing their role in aggregation, logistics, and market coordination. The initiative is expected to pave the way for more structured and sustainable marketing channels for perishable agricultural produce in the state.
