Bhubaneswar: Clean energy is helping farmers in Odisha’s Malkangiri district cut agricultural processing costs and improve returns, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo said on Sunday.
The Damaldei Farmer Producer Company (FPO), which has more than 700 shareholder farmers, has set up a 3-kW decentralised renewable energy (DRE)-powered processing unit under the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, he said.
The unit is being used to mill rice, millet and dal, allowing farmers to process their produce locally without depending entirely on conventional energy sources.
According to Singh Deo, the renewable energy-powered facility will enable uninterrupted processing while reducing operational expenses and creating greater value for farmers at the local level.
The initiative is also expected to help farmers get better returns from their agricultural produce by enabling local processing and value addition, he said.
Clean energy is empowering our farmers with greater value and dignity. 🌾⚡
In Malkangiri, I am delighted to witness the Damaldei Farmer Producer Company take a transformative step under the PM Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana. With 700+ shareholder farmers, they have established a 3… https://t.co/poaIsUVNMz
— Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo (Modiji Ka Parivar) (@KVSinghDeo1) August 9, 2026
“Clean energy is empowering our farmers with greater value and dignity,” Singh Deo said, describing the initiative as an example of how climate-smart solutions can strengthen rural livelihoods.
He said the project demonstrates the potential of decentralised renewable energy to transform agricultural practices and create new opportunities for value addition in rural areas.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to promote renewable energy and sustainable agriculture in Odisha, while strengthening farmer producer organisations and supporting rural livelihoods.
The Damaldei Farmer Producer Company is based in Pedaguda in Malkangiri district. The FPO has also been highlighted for making its agricultural products available to consumers, helping connect local farm production with markets.
The clean energy-powered processing facility is expected to provide farmers with a more affordable and sustainable option for processing agricultural produce within the local community.
