Bhubaneswar, October 6, 2026: As unpredictable weather increasingly threatens paddy cultivation, farmers in Dhenkanal’s Kamalanga and Mangalpur panchayats are embracing climate-resilient farming practices to improve crop health, reduce risks and secure their livelihoods. The two panchayats, where GMR Kamalanga Energy Limited (GKEL) operates a 1,050-MW thermal power plant, are witnessing a gradual shift in farming practices. A farming initiative supported by the GMR Varalakshmi Foundation (GMRVF) through GKEL’s CSR programme covers nearly 500 acres and has benefited more than 230 farmers across the two panchayats. Implemented through the farmer-owned Haritha Brahmani Devi Farmer Producer Company (FPO), the initiative is helping farmers make informed decisions on soil management, crop selection and cultivation practices, while improving access to agricultural inputs and technical guidance. Soil testing, climate-resilient paddy varieties, line sowing and the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) are among the practices being promoted. Farmers are also using organic manure and bio-inputs, while eco-friendly pest-management measures such as pheromone and sticky traps are helping protect crops. Solar fencing at vulnerable locations is further helping minimise crop damage caused by animal intrusion. For farmers, the change is being felt in the fields. “Earlier, we largely depended on the methods we had been using for years. Soil testing has helped us understand what our fields need and choose the right variety and inputs. The crop is healthier and the tillering is better. The training has also given us greater confidence to deal with changing weather,” said Batu Raj, a farmer from Kamalanga. In neighbouring Mangalpur, farmer Biranchi Narayan Sahoo said access to better information had changed the way many cultivators approached farming. “We have learned that small changes in farming practices can make a real difference. Understanding our soil, choosing suitable varieties and adopting better methods have helped us manage our crops more confidently. With the weather becoming unpredictable, this knowledge is especially valuable,” he said. The farmer producer company is also strengthening collective action by enabling cultivators to access inputs and technical knowledge, exchange experiences and find solutions to common farming challenges. In Kamalanga and Mangalpur, the shift towards smarter cultivation is helping farmers build stronger crops and greater resilience–one field at a time.
