Bhubaneswar: Two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed today at Lokseva Bhavan, Bhubaneswar, aimed at strengthening agricultural infrastructure and improving market linkages for farmers in Odisha.
The first MoU was signed among the Directorate of Horticulture, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment (DA&FE), and M/S Cold Chain Solutions for the project titled “Operation, Maintenance & Management of Integrated Pack House at Govindpur, Dhenkanal.”
The second MoU was signed between the Directorate of Horticulture, DA&FE, Mission Shakti, and Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN) for the project “Strengthening Livelihoods of WSHG Members through Promotion of Agriculture Production Cluster (APC) in Odisha.”
The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister for Women & Child Development, Mission Shakti, Pravati Parida, and Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare Minister, Krushna Chandra Patra. Senior officials, including Principal Secretary of Agriculture Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Director of Horticulture Nikhil Pawan Kalyan, and Director of Mission Shakti Dr. Monica Priyadarshini, were also present at the event.
Dhenkanal Fruits and Vegetables Marketing Company Ltd. (DFVMCL) was established as per the 8th Executive Committee of the Odisha Horticulture Development Society (OHDS) on February 12, 2013. Under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha, DFVMCL was created to provide post-harvest management services, enhance market linkages, and offer alternative marketing platforms for farmers.
The signed MoU will ensure the smooth operation and management of the Integrated Pack House while facilitating the procurement of agricultural produce, fruits, and vegetables from individual farmers, Farmers Interest Groups, cooperatives, agricultural companies, or Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs). The initiative aims to procure produce at mutually beneficial market-driven prices, supporting FPOs in nearby districts and boosting farmers’ incomes.
The Agriculture Production Cluster (APC) initiative, led by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, is a pioneering effort to drive growth in the farm sector and sustainably double the income of small and marginal Women Self-Help Group (WSHG) farmers. Initially launched across 73 blocks in 14 districts, the initiative has proven successful, prompting the Odisha government to expand it further.
With the newly signed MoU, the APC initiative will now cover an additional 27 blocks across 11 districts, including Kotia in Pottangi. This expansion brings the total reach of the project to 100 backward blocks across 16 districts. The initiative integrates multiple government schemes under the Directorate of Horticulture, Directorate of Agriculture, Animal Resources Department, Mission Shakti, Odisha Livelihoods Mission (OLM), Odisha Lift Irrigation Corporation (OLIC), Odisha Agro Industries Corporation (OAIC), Agricultural Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha Ltd. (APICOL), ST & SC Development Department, and other relevant departments to develop livelihood infrastructure for farmers.
The expansion will support the formation of 695 Producer Groups (PGs) and 27 Producer Companies (PCs) across the newly included blocks, with an estimated budget of ₹6,205.8 lakh. By fostering synchronized, market-linked agricultural production and promoting improved cropping practices and livestock rearing, the initiative aims to sustainably double the income of participating SHG members within the project period.
These strategic agreements reinforce Odisha’s commitment to enhancing its agricultural ecosystem, supporting farmers with better market access, and fostering economic growth in rural communities.
