The Deputy Chief Minister, KV Singh Deo, inaugurated the Climate Resilience Cell at Krushi Bhavan.

On Tuesday, Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, inaugurated the 'Climate Resilience Cell' (CRC) at Krushi Bhavan. This event marks a significant step towards enhancing the state's efforts in building climate-resilient agriculture.

The CRC of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers' Empowerment (DAFE) has been established for the implementation and monitoring of the State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC).

DAFE, in collaboration with international institutional partners, aims to create a carbon-sensitive policy framework for collaborative research, policy analytics, institutional capacity building, and policy engagement and outreach in response to climate change in Odisha. The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and The Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) are the main knowledge partners involved.

Deputy Chief Minister Singh Deo emphasized the critical need for adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices in the current scenario.

He said, "To ensure sustainable production and food and nutrition security for all, it is imperative that we move towards climate-resilient practices. IFPRI and CSTEP have been brought in to work closely with the Department and support the CRC in implementing sustainable agricultural food systems, building capacity, advocating for effective policies, reducing Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, implementing efficient irrigation techniques, and supporting institutional capacity building for sustaining climate-smart practices in the future."

During the event, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary of DAFE, mentioned the unique opportunity to collectively achieve larger carbon goals while protecting the lives and livelihoods of farmers and citizens.

Dr. Padhee expressed the government's full commitment to this demanding task. He stated that the collaboration with policies and programs from all domains will define our efforts in achieving sustainable food system goals. The initiative will be funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation without any financial implication to the State Government.

Dr. Shahidur Rashid, Director for South Asia at IFPRI, expressed IFPRI's commitment and enthusiasm for the partnership. He mentioned that IFPRI is glad to support DAFE’s endeavors by bringing its globally recognized expertise in agriculture, climate, and natural resource resilience-related policy research. They aim to help build capacities, introduce new innovations, and foster sustainable practices through their network of global centers of excellence, which will be engaged with Odisha’s initiatives.

The event was attended by several key dignitaries, including Dr. Prem Kumar Jha, Director, 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, DAFE, and Dr. Mamata Pradhan, Research Coordinator from IFPRI. Their presence underscored the collaborative effort to advance Odisha’s agricultural resilience and sustainability.

The establishment of the Climate Resilience Cell marks a significant milestone in Odisha’s efforts to combat climate change’s impact on agriculture through adaptation and mitigation. By focusing on climate adaptations, sustainable practices, and inclusive growth, the CRC will surely enhance the resilience of Odisha’s agricultural systems, safeguard livelihoods, and contribute to the state’s economic development.