Bhubaneswar, Jan 3: The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment (DAFE) of Odisha government is organizing a three-day event, Krushi Odisha-2025, from January 3–5 at the Biju Patnaik Playground in Bhubaneswar. The event was inaugurated by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
The mela is a showcase of the state’s immense potential in agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, horticulture, and food processing.
The event’s theme, “A Step Towards Sustainable Food Systems,” reflects the urgent need to address challenges posed by climate change, resource scarcity, and evolving socio-economic dynamics in agriculture. Featuring participation from key state and central agencies, research institutions, private sector partners, and international organizations, it underscores Odisha’s commitment to transforming agriculture and food systems for a sustainable future.
One of the sessions, “Transforming Climate-Resilient Food Systems through Policy Integration,” was anchored by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) today. The session brought together experts to deliberate on themes such as carbon farming, global value chains, gender-sensitive approaches, groundwater management, and policy-science integration in agri-food systems.
In his remarks, Dr. Pratap S. Birthal, Director, ICAR-National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research (NIAP), and one of the session’s chairs, mentioned,“Agri-food systems are at the heart of climate resilience. From integrating global value chains to managing groundwater sustainably and fostering inclusive approaches through gender and policy interventions, states must adopt holistic solutions to secure livelihoods and food security for future generations.”
Dr. P.G. Chengappa, Director, TATA Coffee Board, who co-chaired the session, noted, “Building resilient agri-food systems requires bold innovations like carbon farming, gender-responsive strategies, and effective policy frameworks. By bridging gaps between science and policy, states can transform challenges like climate change and resource scarcity into opportunities for sustainable growth and equitable development.”
The session underscored the interrelationship between agri-food system transformation and climate change, highlighting the importance of robust policies to mitigate risks and promote adaptation. Policies integrating climate resilience into agricultural practices are critical to achieving sustainable food systems while addressing farmers’ socio-economic vulnerabilities.
