A team of scientists from the ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA) conducted an intensive interaction with farmers and gram panchayat leaders under the Odisha Agriculture Drought Mitigation Programme (OADMP), supported by the National Disaster Mitigation Fund and the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Bhubaneswar,

in Raruan block of Mayurbhanj District, Odisha on April 21-23, 2026 to form specific village committees for 26 villages under 03 Gram Panchayats (Godapalasa, Bhanjakia and Tilokuti) to manage water, soil, crop, trees and livestock systems.

Members of the village committee are nominated by the village community in the presence of their respective gram panchayat leaders, ensuring representation from small and marginal farmers, landless farmers, women farmers, farmers from SC and ST community, young farmers, progressive farmers and WSGs. Each village committee is tasked with devising and implementing a Village Level Plan in coordination with the OADMP team and state line departments.

Team had detailed discussion with Raruan block soil conservation officer for implementing the soil and water related interventions as per the project objectives.

Also,ICAR-CRIDA team had an interaction meeting with Shri Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, IAS, Commissioner cum Secretary, DAFE, Government of Odisha, Bhubaneswar, Odisha on 24.04.2026 about the formation of village committees. Team also discussed with Shri Niti Ranjan Sen Managing Director, OSSC ltd, Odisha about the availability and price of certified seed, ahead of Kharif 2026 season and with Er Bishnu Prasad Mishra, Chief Engineer, Odisha government for farm machinery implements.

The formation of village committees and its strategic direction are guided by a team from ICAR-CRIDA, led by Dr G.Venkatesh, (PI/Agroforestry), Dr. K.A. Gopinath (Co-PI/Agronomy) and Dr Manoranjan Kumar (Co-PI/Soil & Water Conservation Engineering).