Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment signed a MoA with ISB to establish a climate resilience support cell

Bhubaneswar: 10/4/23:Krushi Bibhag and Indian School of Business (ISB) signed an Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to strengthen agri-nutrition convergence for better nutrition outcomes & establish climate resilience support cell for sustainable, resilient agriculture pathways in presence of Hon’ble Minister Shri Ranendra Pratap Swain.ISB’s Bharti Institute of Public Policy will also undertake research on Odisha Millets Mission. Krushi Bibhag will lead the collaboration to facilitate coordination of policies & programs among various govt stakeholders to achieve the goal of improving state’s nutrition status.

As per the MoA, Indian School of Business will support DAFE for improving nutrition outcomes amongst low-income households from increased availability, accessibility, and affordability of nutrient-dense foods, i.e., fruits and vegetables and animal-source foods.

ISB will provide the responsive research and technical support for using agriculture-nutrition convergence, policy, markets, and technology for alleviating nutrition outcomes.

In addition, DAFE& ISB will jointly establish a climate resilience support cell. ISB will undertake research for identifying and understanding factors that affect resilience of crops, farmers, and rural livelihoods in Odisha towards climate variability. ISB will support DAFE in identifying policy innovations and pathways for a climate-resilient agriculture roadmap for Odisha.

ISB’s Bharti Institute of Public Policy will also undertake research to produce a comprehensive report and case study on the Odisha Millets Mission.

DAFE will anchor this collaboration and will enable coordination of policies and programmes amongst different and related government stakeholders and departments to achieve the objectives of improving the nutrition status of the State.

It is expected that this collaboration will contribute to identifying climate resilient agriculture pathways and will lead to building long lasting impact pathways for improving nutrition. DAFE& ISB will work together towards these objectives, according to a press note issued by the DAFE.

Principal Secretary Dr Arabinda K. Padhee; Director Agriculture & Food Production, Shri Prem Chandra Chaudhary; Executive Director, ISB-BIPP Hyderabad, Prof Ashwini Chhatre, were also present during signing of the MoA.