ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Hydetrabad signed a MoA (Memorandum of Agreement) with The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment (DAFE), Government of Odisha during January, 2026 for the initiative on Odisha Agriculture Drought Mitigation Programme (OADMP) under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF). The OADMP was launched by The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment (DAFE), Government of Odisha, on 30th January, 2026, during the state level inception workshop held at Bhubaneshwar, Odisha.

The programme aims to build climate resilience, enhance productivity and promote crop diversification in three drought prone districts of Odisha. With the technical support from International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), ICAR-CRIDA and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the programme will be implemented in identified blocks of Nuapada district, Nabarangpur district and Mayurbhanj district, targeting smallholder, marginal, tribal, women and youth farmers. The programme focuses on science-led planning, convergence, and community ownership, will benefit around 24,000 households, strengthening their livelihoods and reducing migration.

Shri KV Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister, Govt. of Odisha, Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Odisha, Dr. Pravat Kumar Roul, Vice Chancellor, OUAT, Dr VK Singh, Director, ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad, Dr KV Rao, Principal Scientist and Head (DRM), ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad, Dr G Venkatesh, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad, Dr Shalander Kumar, Deputy Global Research Program Director, ICRISAT, Hyderabad, Dr Swati Nayak Scientist, IRRI, Shri Shubhranshu Mishra, Additional Secretary, representatives from National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), Indian Metrological Department (IMD), scientists from KVK, senior officials from state departments were present in the state level inception workshop during the launch of the programme