Tata Steel Foundation hosts Agri Meet to Promote Innovation in Farming • Over 300 local farmers engaged in knowledge exchange

Berhampur, February 12, 2025: The concluding day of Arunima-2025, a two-day community
engagement programme hosted by Tata Steel Foundation (TSF) brought together farmers and
scientists to explore innovations in climate-resilient agriculture.
Eminent speakers on the 2nd day included Dr. Subash Chandra Swain Head Dept of Fruit
Science and Horticulture Technology OUAT, Dr. Sujit Nath, Senior Scientist & Head, Krishi
Vigyan Kendra, Ganjam, Mr. Manoj Ku sahoo Chief District Veterinary Officer, Er.Rashmi Ranjan
Barik, Program Officer, Odisha PVTG Empowerment and Livelihoods Improvement Programme
(OPELIP), SC & ST Dept, Government of Odisha, Dr. Harapriya Das Plant Manager OMFED and
Ambika Prasad Nanda, Head CSR, Odisha, Tata Steel; among others.
More than 300 small and marginal farmers of Ganjam participated, representing various farming
sectors.
The Scientists-Farmers interface – “The Agriculture Meet” .served as a platform for knowledge
exchange and collaboration in which sessions were held on new innovations, best practices, and
government schemes.
Discussions focused on promoting farm mechanization, strengthening farmers' institutions,
leveraging government schemes, and adopting climate-smart agricultural practices in cyclone-
prone Ganjam.
In the inaugural programme, as many as 745 meritorious students from economically backward
SC/ST families were awarded with Jyoti Fellowship. On the occasion, 300 SHG women
participated and discussed various issues.