Odisha Launches Scheme to Revive Forgotten Crops and Traditional Foods

Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to promote agro-biodiversity and support tribal cultivators, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha, has launched a new scheme titled “Revival and Sustainable Intensification of Forgotten Food & Neglected Crops in Odisha.”

The scheme, formally approved by the government under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, aims to conserve, cultivate, and market traditional crops and food varieties that have long been part of Odisha’s rich cultural and ecological heritage.

The initiative builds on the global recognition of regions like Koraput, a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Site, and Odisha’s legacy of agro-ecological richness. With 64 tribal communities deeply involved in preserving diverse crop varieties—ranging from tubers and pulses to oilseeds and wild fruits—the scheme seeks to ensure both cultural preservation and economic upliftment of nearly 60,000 farmers, especially from tribal and rural areas.

The scheme was conceptualized following an International Symposium held in November, inaugurated by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, which saw participation from global scholars and agricultural scientists.

Key highlights of the scheme include:

• Germplasm collection, and documentation of traditional food cultures and indigenous knowledge
• Support for custodian farmers and establishment of community seed banks
• Incentives and technical support for cultivating forgotten landraces
• Post-harvest processing, value addition, and marketing support through FPOs, WSHGs, and potential exports
• Awareness campaigns in both rural and urban areas
• Promotion of research collaboration while protecting farmers’ rights

A unique feature of the scheme is the introduction of the Kamala Pujari Participatory Research Fellowship, named after the Padma Shri awardee, to document and preserve traditional agricultural knowledge and neglected crops.

The scheme will be implemented over five years (2025–26 to 2029–30) in 25 blocks across 15 districts, strategically selected near biodiversity hotspots.

According to Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, the scheme is expected to position Odisha as a global leader in the revival of forgotten food systems, contributing to nutritional security, rural livelihoods, and climate-resilient agriculture.