The Odisha government on Monday signed two significant Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) at Lok Seva Bhavan, Bhubaneswar, aimed at strengthening agricultural infrastructure and enhancing market access for farmers across the state. The agreements, signed under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment (DA&FE), are expected to improve post-harvest management, promote market-linked production, and increase farmers’ income.
🌾 Key MoUs Signed
1. MoU for Integrated Pack House at Govindpur, Dhenkanal
The first MoU was signed among the:
- Directorate of Horticulture
- Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment (DA&FE)
- M/S Cold Chain Solutions
This MoU focuses on the operation and management of the Integrated Pack House at Govindpur, Dhenkanal. The project is expected to:
- ✅ Facilitate post-harvest management
- ✅ Streamline the procurement process
- ✅ Ensure better price realization for farmers
- ✅ Improve market access through enhanced cold chain logistics
The Dhenkanal Fruits and Vegetables Marketing Company Ltd. (DFVMCL), formed under the Odisha Horticulture Development Society (OHDS), will manage the pack house’s operations.
2. MoU to Expand Agriculture Production Cluster (APC) Initiative
The second MoU was signed between the:
- Directorate of Horticulture
- Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment (DA&FE)
- Mission Shakti
- Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN)
This agreement is designed to strengthen the Agriculture Production Cluster (APC) initiative by expanding its reach and enhancing market linkages. The APC initiative aims to:
- ✅ Improve the livelihoods of Women Self-Help Group (WSHG) members
- ✅ Promote synchronized, market-linked agricultural production
- ✅ Encourage sustainable agricultural growth through integrated government schemes
🌍 Expansion of Agriculture Production Cluster Initiative
The APC initiative, which originally covered 73 blocks across 14 districts, will now be expanded to:
- 100 backward blocks across 16 districts, including Kotia in Pottangi
- Establish 695 Producer Groups (PGs) and 27 Producer Companies (PCs) in 27 additional blocks across 11 districts
- Total estimated budget for expansion: ₹6,205.8 lakh
✅ Integrated Schemes under APC
The APC initiative integrates multiple government schemes under the following departments:
- Directorate of Horticulture
- Directorate of Agriculture
- Mission Shakti
- Odisha Livelihoods Mission (OLM)
The objective is to double the income of small and marginal farmers by promoting:
- 🚀 Improved farming practices
- 🚀 Livestock rearing
- 🚀 Market-linked agricultural production
🏭 Dhenkanal Integrated Pack House to Improve Market Access
The Dhenkanal Integrated Pack House will play a crucial role in strengthening market infrastructure and ensuring better market access for farmers. The key benefits include:
- Efficient procurement of agricultural produce from Farmers, Cooperatives, and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)
- Competitive market prices for farmers
- Strengthened cold chain logistics to minimize post-harvest losses
- Enhanced financial stability for farmers through direct market access
The operation of the pack house is expected to create a seamless supply chain, thereby boosting farmer incomes and improving the quality of agricultural produce reaching markets.
🚀 Strategic Vision for Odisha’s Agricultural Growth
The Odisha government’s strategic partnerships through these MoUs reflect a broader vision to transform the state’s agricultural sector by:
- Encouraging technological adoption in farming
- Strengthening market access for farmers
- Ensuring better price realization through organized procurement and cold chain infrastructure
- Promoting women empowerment through integrated agricultural production clusters
By expanding agricultural infrastructure and linking farmers to better markets, the Odisha government aims to enhance rural livelihoods and create a sustainable agricultural ecosystem.
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