Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo inaugurated the Climate Resilience Cell at Krushi Bhavan, underscoring the state’s commitment to advancing climate-resilient agricultural practices. This initiative aims to safeguard livelihoods and promote sustainable farming in the face of climate change.
Bhubaneswar: In a landmark move aimed at bolstering the state’s agricultural sector against the growing challenges of climate change, Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, inaugurated the Climate Resilience Cell (CRC) at Krushi Bhavan. This pivotal initiative is part of the state’s broader strategy to build a robust and climate-resilient agricultural system, ensuring sustainable production and food security for its citizens.
A Unified Front Against Climate Change
The CRC, established under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment (DAFE), will serve as a central hub for implementing and monitoring the State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC). The cell is expected to drive a collaborative effort among various stakeholders to create a carbon-sensitive policy framework, focusing on research, policy analytics, and institutional capacity building.
Speaking at the inauguration, Deputy Chief Minister Singh Deo underscored the urgency of adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices. “To ensure sustainable production and food and nutrition security for all, it is imperative that we move towards climate-resilient practices. The collaboration with international partners such as the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and The Center for Study of Science, Technology, and Policy (CSTEP) will be crucial in supporting the CRC’s mission,” he stated.
Global Expertise for Local Challenges
DAFE’s collaboration with global institutions like IFPRI and CSTEP marks a significant step forward in integrating international expertise with local initiatives. The partnership aims to introduce innovations in sustainable agricultural food systems, build capacity within state institutions, and advocate for effective policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance irrigation efficiency.
Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary of DAFE, highlighted the CRC’s potential to contribute to global carbon goals while safeguarding the livelihoods of farmers. “This initiative offers a unique opportunity to meet larger carbon goals collectively while keeping farmers and citizens’ lives and livelihoods protected. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s funding ensures that this project progresses without any financial burden on the state government,” Dr. Padhee remarked.
A Commitment to Sustainable Growth
IFPRI’s South Asia Director, Dr. Shahidur Rashid, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration. “IFPRI is glad to support DAFE’s endeavors by bringing its globally recognized expertise in agriculture, climate, and natural resource resilience-related policy research. Our goal is to help build capacities, introduce new innovations, and foster sustainable practices through our network of global centers of excellence, which we will engage with Odisha’s initiatives,” he said.
A Collaborative Effort
The inauguration event was attended by several high-ranking officials, including Dr. Prem Kumar Jha, Director of Environment-cum-Special Secretary, Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department, Prem Chandra Chaudhary, Director of Agriculture, Nikhil Pavan Kalyan, Director of Horticulture, Shubhranshu Mishra, Additional Secretary of DAFE, and Dr. Mamata Pradhan, Research Coordinator from IFPRI. Their presence underscored the collaborative effort needed to advance Odisha’s agricultural resilience and sustainability.
A Milestone for Odisha’s Future
The establishment of the Climate Resilience Cell marks a significant milestone in Odisha’s ongoing efforts to combat the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture. By focusing on climate adaptation, sustainable practices, and inclusive growth, the CRC is poised to enhance the resilience of Odisha’s agricultural systems, safeguard livelihoods, and contribute to the state’s economic development.
As Odisha continues to face the challenges of a changing climate, the CRC represents a beacon of hope, promising a future where agriculture is not only resilient but also sustainable and inclusive. The state’s proactive approach, backed by global expertise and strong local collaboration, sets a precedent for other regions grappling with similar challenges.