A six-day exposure visit to Sahyadri Farms, Maharashtra, concluded successfully, bringing together representatives of 19 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) from Cuttack and Dhenkanal districts of Odisha. The visit, facilitated under the Support to FPO scheme, Government of Odisha was organized to provide hands-on insights into sustainable farming practices and FPO management, began on January 20, 2025, and was marked by high-level engagements and in-depth discussions.
The agenda seamlessly combined field visits, interactive discussions, and knowledge-sharing sessions. Participants from FPOs explored innovative practices like solar drying, algae production from wastewater, and advanced FMCG processing while witnessing Sahyadri Farms' farmer-inclusive value chain initiatives. Supported by Palladium as the Technical Support Unit under the PSFPO project, Directorate of Horticulture, Odisha, the visit fostered collaboration and innovation in agriculture, empowering Odisha’s FPOs with strategies for sustainable market linkages and global exports.
One of the key highlights of the visit was the attendance of Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Honorable Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment & Energy. He was accompanied by Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Government, DA&FE, Prem Chandra Chaudhary, IAS, Director of Agriculture and Food Production and Nikhil Pavan Kalyan, IAS, Director of Horticulture and Dr. Monica Priyadarshini, IAS, Director, Mission Shakti. The dignitaries and senior officials, actively participated in scheduled activities, aligning discussions with Odisha’s agricultural growth objectives.
The delegation was warmly welcomed by Vilas Shinde, CMD, Sahyadri Farms, and other senior officials, including Pramod Rajebhosale, CEO, FPC Training & Incubation and Suresh Nakhate, Manager Training and Incubation, Sahyadri Farms. Over the course of the visit, the participants were exposed to cutting-edge agricultural practices, including R&D farm operations, post-harvest facilities, biogas units, and crop-specific processing units.
Speaking about the visit, Vilas Shinde, CMD, Sahyadri Farms, said, “We are deeply grateful to the Government of Odisha and the PSFPO team for their proactive role in organizing this successful exposure visit. It was a pleasure to host such an enthusiastic group of FPO representatives and dignitaries from the state. We look forward to collaborating further with the Government of Odisha to replicate the Sahyadri model and empower farmers in the state with sustainable practices and value chain development strategies.”
Key action points discussed during the visit focused on replicating the Sahyadri Farms model in Odisha by leveraging government support through initiatives such as land allocation, subsidies, and initial investments. Emphasis was placed on selecting suitable horticulture crops, including pineapple, citrus, banana, mango, and guava, to promote sustainable farming and enhance market relevance.
To build awareness and facilitate informed decision-making, it was proposed to organize a presentation by Sahyadri Farms for agri-ecosystem stakeholders in Odisha and arrange another exposure visit for policymakers. The formation of crop-specific farmer groups, including women farmers and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), was highlighted as a critical step toward strengthening community involvement. Lastly, a strong focus was placed on ensuring the production and supply of high-quality produce to maintain competitiveness in the market.
Looking forward, the state will continue to conduct exposure visits and market-oriented training for 250 Farmers Producer Organizations across the state in the upcoming months under the Support to FPO scheme by Government of Odisha.
