Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) has won the BIRC Global Excellence Award 2026 in recognition of its leadership in rural enterprise development, market access and contribution to the global rice industry.
Congratulating the ORMAS team on the achievement, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik said the award recognised the team’s commitment and hard work. He said the state would continue to expand market opportunities for rural producers, help them reach national and international markets, and strengthen rural enterprises.
ORMAS, functioning under the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, works to connect farmers and rural producer groups with wider markets. Its efforts focus on improving product presentation, branding and value addition to help rural producers enhance the marketability of their products.
At the Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2026, being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, ORMAS is showcasing 15 traditional rice varieties and related products from eight districts of Odisha. The initiative brings together 85 Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), representing 3,695 members, to promote the state’s indigenous rice varieties and create new market opportunities for rural producers.
ORMAS Chief Executive Officer Dr Monica Priyadarshini received the award. The recognition highlights Odisha’s rich agricultural heritage and the efforts of rural producers and ORMAS to bring traditional rice varieties to wider markets.
Through its market-linkage initiatives, ORMAS aims to strengthen rural livelihoods by helping producer groups connect with buyers and explore opportunities beyond local markets. The award adds to the state’s efforts to promote indigenous agricultural products and support rural enterprise development.
