Bhubaneswar, April 29, 2025 (Newshub Desk)– The Government of Odisha and the Gates Foundation have solidified their collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) to drive inclusive agricultural transformation in the state.
The partnership emphasises AI-enabled use cases, precision agriculture, climate-smart innovations, and enhancing productivity in the dairy and fisheries sectors.
Led by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment (DAFE) and the Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department (FARDD), the alliance focuses on implementing cutting-edge practices to foster climate-smart agriculture. This multi-year endeavour aims to empower Odisha’s farmers with innovation, resilience, and sustainability at its core.
Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, expressed optimism about the partnership, stating, “The Mou with the Gates Foundation marks a significant leap towards future-ready agriculture in Odisha. It reaffirms our government’s commitment to knowledge, innovation, and partnerships that benefit farmers across the state.”
Launch of Initiatives and Reports. In addition to the Mou, key initiatives were unveiled during the event, including the Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance Odisha. This platform aims to unite diverse stakeholders—government agencies, research institutions, NGOs, farmer bodies, and private entities—to accelerate climate-smart technology adoption at scale.
The event also saw the release of pivotal reports. The Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) presented a scoping report series titled “Data-Driven Prioritisation of Districts for Climate-Smart Agriculture in Odisha.” This detailed district-level evaluation provides actionable insights to develop climate action plans tailored to local needs. The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) unveiled a report on the “Comprehensive Rice Fallow Management Program,” showcasing its impact in converting fallow lands and enhancing yields.
Additionally, Odisha Agriculture Statistics 2023-24 was released, offering a comprehensive view of agricultural activities in the state—an essential resource for data-driven policy planning.
Officials emphasised the collaborative potential of this partnership. Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, IAS, Principal Secretary of DAFE, remarked that the Mou bridges science, policy, and partnerships, leveraging global best practices for local applications.
Sri Suresh Kumar Vashishth, IAS, Principal Secretary of FARDD, highlighted the inclusion of scientific tools to refine policy frameworks.
The Gates Foundation director, Mr. Alkesh Wadhwani, added, “This collaboration places Odisha at the forefront of sustainable agricultural growth, ensuring resilience and inclusivity for farmers.”
Looking forward, the partnership promises transformative impacts across agri-tech adoption, export linkages, crop diversification, and gender-sensitive resilience-building. It reflects a collective aspiration for a digitalised and empowered farming ecosystem.
