Odisha, Gates Foundation partner to promote agri transformation

BHUBANESHWAR: The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment (DOA&FE), Government of Odisha has signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to promote the agriculture transformation in the state and improve the lives of small and marginal farmers.

The MoU was signed by Hari Ballay Mishra, Director of Agriculture and Food Production, and Nick Austin, Director of Agriculture Development of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Under this MoU, the state government and the foundation will accelerate the state’s agricultural programmes and improve the lives of smallholder farmers in the state.  Also, it will improve data management, analysis and use within the department of agriculture.

The first project between Odisha and Gates foundation will initiate a data management system. It will support the department of agriculture in using data to make evidence-based polices.

Speaking on this occasion, Naveen Patnaik stressed on the development of agriculture and allied sectors in the state. He expected that it will bring improvement when comes to the livelihood of small and marginal farmers.