ICAR-CCARI, Goa Trains 59 Odisha Agriculture Officers in Climate-Smart Technologies under OIIPCRA

31 October 2026, Goa

ICAR–Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Old Goa, successfully conducted three batches of a six-day residential training programme for officers under the Odisha Integrated Irrigation Project for Climate Resilient Agriculture (OIIPCRA), sponsored by the Government of Odisha. The programme, titled “Advances in Climate Smart Technologies for Capacity Building in Agro-Ecosystem, Resource Economics and Rural Enterprise Development”, was organised for Group A and Group B officers of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Directorate of Agriculture & Food Production, Government of Odisha.

The three training batches were conducted from 21–26 September, 5–10 October and 26–31 October 2026, with 20 officers nominated for each batch. A total of 59 officers representing 24 districts of Odisha, including seven coastal districts, participated in the programme. The participants comprised 31 Group A and 28 Group B officers, including 34 male and 25 female officers.

The training aimed to strengthen the technical and professional capacities of agricultural officers in climate-smart and sustainable agricultural technologies, with particular emphasis on their application in coastal and climate-vulnerable agro-ecosystems. The programme featured expert lectures, interactive technical sessions, field visits, live demonstrations and interactions with ICAR-CCARI scientists and technical experts, facilitating knowledge sharing and professional exchange between the two institutions.

The technical sessions covered a wide range of themes, including integrated farming systems, soil and water conservation, water-use efficiency, agroforestry, organic and sustainable farming practices, horticulture, crop improvement, livestock conservation and improvement, resource economics, agro-ecotourism, agribusiness and rural entrepreneurship. Participants also gained practical exposure to location-specific technologies and successful agricultural models developed and demonstrated at ICAR-CCARI.

The valedictory function of the third batch was graced by Shri Sadanand Shet Tanawade, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Goa, who distributed certificates to the participants. Addressing the gathering, he urged the officers to effectively apply the knowledge and technologies acquired during the training for the benefit of farmers in Odisha. He also emphasised the importance of translating agricultural knowledge into tangible field-level outcomes and contributing towards the national vision of Viksit Bharat.

The programme received encouraging feedback from the participants, highlighting its practical relevance and usefulness in strengthening their professional capabilities. The initiative is expected to enhance institutional cooperation between Goa and Odisha and create opportunities for further capacity-building programmes, technical collaboration and exchange of agricultural expertise, particularly in coastal agro-ecosystems.

The three training batches were planned and coordinated under the leadership and guidance of Dr Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR-CCARI. The successful conduct of the programme was facilitated by the collective efforts of the institute's resource persons, scientists, technical and administrative staff, skilled support personnel and contractual workers.

(Source: ICAR–Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa)