Government Launches Rs-141.50 Crore Drought Mitigation Programme to Boost Farm Resilience

Bhubaneswar: In a move aimed at strengthening agriculture against recurring droughts and climate stress, the Odisha government has launched a ₹141.50 crore drought mitigation programme focused on long-term resilience rather than short-term relief.

The initiative, titled the Odisha Agriculture Drought Mitigation Programme, was formalised through a memorandum of agreement signed during the opening session of Krushi Odisha 2026. The programme is aligned with the national framework for drought mitigation and seeks to address structural vulnerabilities in rain-dependent farming systems.

Officials said the project brings together multiple institutions, including the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority, national disaster management agencies, and leading agricultural research bodies. The collaboration aims to integrate scientific planning with local farming practices to reduce crop losses during prolonged dry spells.

The programme will initially be implemented in three drought-prone blocks: Komna in Nuapada district, Kosagumuda in Nabarangpur district, and Raruan in Mayurbhanj district. Around 24,000 farming households are expected to benefit directly in the first phase.

Key interventions include improved water conservation structures, promotion of drought-tolerant crop varieties, soil moisture management, and climate-adaptive farming techniques. The programme also emphasises community participation, with Self-Help Groups and Farmer Producer Organisations playing a role in implementation and aggregation of farm outputs.

To ensure effective execution, a digital monitoring system will track indicators such as rainfall patterns, soil moisture levels, and crop conditions, enabling timely course correction and data-backed decision-making.

State officials said the initiative reflects a shift towards preventive and adaptive strategies in agriculture, particularly for regions that face repeated rainfall uncertainty. By strengthening farm resilience at the grassroots level, the government aims to protect rural livelihoods, stabilise agricultural output, and improve food security in vulnerable districts.