Odisha Integrated Irrigation Project for Climate Resilient Agriculture (OIIPCRA) is implemented by ICARDA in collaboration with Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Govt. of Odisha and Department of Water Resources, Govt. of Odisha since November 2021. The project focuses on enhancing agricultural productivity of tank commands through the introduction of suitable climate resilient pulse crops & varieties by efficient utilization of water sources of Minor Irrigation Projects (MIPs). The broad objectives include crop diversification, strengthening pulses seed system, enhancing productivity of pulses, augmentation of farmers’ income through value addition & market linkages and improving farmers’ skill & knowledge of stakeholders involved. This project underscores promotion of climate-smart pulse varieties, sustainable farming practices and capacity building of members of Pani Panchayats and Producer Groups to ensure sustainable production in tank command areas.
ICARDA’s interventions covered 2468 ha of area in 44 Minor Irrigation Projects (MIPs) in 9 blocks of three districts of Odisha viz. Keonjhar, Kalahandi and Bargarh. Management of available water resources and promotion of sustainable agricultural practices are done in 80 villages with support of 38 Pani Panchayats. Formation of Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) carries forward various inventive activities in the project operational area.
ICARDA’s Key Contributions :
1. Promotion of Climate-smart pulse varieties and crop diversification
ICARDA has established a Pulse Variety and Technology Park covering 6 hectares across three project districts during the crop seasons. Demonstrations of around 28 promising high-yielding and local crop varieties with climate resilience were conducted on 2 ha area in farmer’s field in each district.
Key activities :
- Demonstrations : Good agricultural Practices of blackgram, greengram, lentil, chickpea, fieldpea, and grasspea.
- Knowledge Sharing : Farmer and scientist visits, well-designed technopark and developed demonstration site.
- Farmer participation : Farmers gained insights into climate-smart pulse varieties and identified suitable options for their regions.
2. Seed Production
With ICARDA interventions, 47 farmer producer groups in the project areas, have produced & supplied 479 quintals of foundation and certified seeds of arhar, blackgram, chickpea and greengram which are market linked to Odisha State Seeds Corporation (OSSC) with the facilitation of Kalahandi Pulse Farmer Producer Company (KPFPC) Ltd. The certification is done by State Certification Agency (OSSOPCA), and the seeds produced by groups are procured by OSSC Ltd used in the next season under the various government schemes of including the project farmers.
Reaching the unreached (Seed Outreach)
To enhance the availability of quality pulse seeds, farmers in the tank command villages were encouraged to produce seeds of blackgram, greengram, grasspea, fieldpea, chickpea, and lentil. Some farmers preserved seeds of the best-performing varieties for future use, while others shared or sold them to neighboring farmers. During 2023-24, a total of 26,298 kg of pulse TL seeds were distributed to farmers across 61 villages, covering an area of 1,063.4 hectares. This initiative has significantly improved the presence of good quality seeds in the local seed system.
3. Market Linkage through PG-FPO Network
ICARDA has established a community level seed production model in the command area of MIPs through PG-FPO network to produce certified seeds of climate-resilient pulse varieties. As a remarkable success, the Producer Groups & farmers sold 38650 kg of chickpea, grasspea, greengram, blakgram, lentil and fieldpea to the potential traders both inside & outside the state and obtained a net profit of Rs 1,51,780 (Fig. 1). This has helped the Producers’ Groups to develop rapport with the traders for marketing their produce in future days.
4. Promotion of Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs)
Three FPCs promoted in project districts by ICARDA are Kalahandi Pulse Farmers Producer Company Ltd., Keonjhar Pulse Farmers Producer Company Ltd., and Bargarh Pulse Farmers Producer Company Ltd., playing a key role in raising awareness, capacity building, input supply, procurement of seeds and market linkages.
Status of Farmers Producer Companies :
| Details | Kalahandi Pulse Farmers Producer Company Ltd. | Keonjhar Pulse Farmers Producer Company Ltd. | Bargarh Pulse Farmers Producer Company Ltd. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crop cultivated (ha) | 1590 | 469.8 | 350.8 |
| Producer Group (nos.) | 169 | 50 | 40 |
| No. of shareholders | 457 | 370 | 10 |
| Share capital | Rs.1,37,100 | Rs.1,11,000 | Rs.10,000 |
| Annual turnover (2023-24) | Rs. 1,49,50,096 | Rs. 3,50,000 | Rs. 1,50,000 |
Best Practices :
ICARDA has come out with the following Best Practices after implementing the project for a period of three years in project districts in tank commands of MIPs
- PG-FPC Network – a best fit for a sustainable community seed system
- Pulses Variety and Technology Park
- Certified Pulses Seed Production by small and marginal farmer Producer Groups (PGs)
ICARDA's interventions under OIIPCRA have significantly enhanced pulse cultivation through the promotion of climate-smart varieties, strengthened seed systems, and established market linkages. The active involvement of Farmer Producer Companies and Producer Groups has led to increased farmer income and ensured the sustainability of climate-resilient agricultural practices in Odisha.
