Bhubaneswar, January 25: A six-day exposure visit to Sahyadri Farms, Maharashtra, concluded successfully, bringing together representatives of 19 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) from Cuttack and Dhenkanal districts of Odisha.
The visit, facilitated under the Support to FPO scheme, Government of Odisha was organized to provide hands-on insights into sustainable farming practices and FPO management, began on January 20, and was marked by high-level engagements and in-depth discussions.
The agenda seamlessly combined field visits, interactive discussions, and knowledge-sharing sessions. Participants from FPOs explored innovative practices like solar drying, algae production from wastewater, and advanced FMCG processing while witnessing Sahyadri Farms’ farmer-inclusive value chain initiatives.
Supported by Palladium as the Technical Support Unit under the PSFPO project, Directorate of Horticulture, Odisha, the visit fostered collaboration and innovation in agriculture, empowering Odisha’s FPOs with strategies for sustainable market linkages and global exports.
One of the key highlights of the visit was the attendance of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, department Secretary Arabinda Padhee, Agriculture and Food Production Director Prem Chandra Chaudhary, Horticulture Director Nikhil Pavan Kalyan, Mission Shakti Director Monica Priyadarshini.
The dignitaries and senior officials, actively participated in scheduled activities, aligning discussions with Odisha’s agricultural growth objectives.
The delegation was welcomed by Mr. Vilas Shinde, CMD, Sahyadri Farms, and other senior officials, including Pramod Rajebhosale, CEO, FPC Training & Incubation and Suresh Nakhate, Manager Training and Incubation, Sahyadri Farms.
Key action points discussed during the visit focused on replicating the Sahyadri Farms model in Odisha by leveraging government support through initiatives such as land allocation, subsidies, and initial investments.
Emphasis was placed on selecting suitable horticulture crops, including pineapple, citrus, banana, mango, and guava, to promote sustainable farming and enhance market relevance. To build awareness and facilitate informed decision-making, it was proposed to organize a presentation by Sahyadri Farms for agri-ecosystem stakeholders in Odisha and arrange another exposure visit for policymakers.
The formation of crop-specific farmer groups, including women farmers and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), was highlighted as a critical step toward strengthening community involvement. Lastly, a strong focus was placed on ensuring the production and supply of high-quality produce to maintain competitiveness in the market.
Rhe state will continue to conduct exposure visits and market-oriented training for 250 Farmers Producer Organizations across the state in the upcoming months under the Support to FPO scheme by Government of Odisha.
