About the Challenge
The Odisha AgTech Challenge 2022 is an initiative to identify and leverage disruptive agtech solutions to solve critical issues in the agriculture value-chain and increase farmer profitability in Odisha.
The Challenge supports innovative enterprises that are working in the digital agriculture space in testing or scaling-up their product through a pilot project in the state, as well as provide farmers with access to affordable, modern-age solutions to the challenges they face.
About MAAS-O
The Government of Odisha has undertaken several initiatives for agricultural reforms and institutional strengthening in the last few years. Most of these initiatives have focused on improving the availability of agricultural inputs to farmers and bringing in technological systems for improving agricultural governance.
As part of the “Modernizing Agriculture and Allied Sector” programme, GDi Partners along with the World Bank are leading the creation of a strategy for the State Government to align with the “One Nation, One Market” initiative of the Union Government, for enhancing state capacity, improving coordination among the various departments working for farmers’ welfare and leveraging innovative yet relevant agriculture technology to fast-track an increase in farmers’ income.
The three components of the Challenge are:
Market
Integration
Creating a multi-channel mechanism for making prevailing prices of priority agriculture, horticulture and allied sector commodities available to farmers
Digital
Agriculture
Designing and implementing an AgTech Challenge to find implementable large-scale technological solutions for key issues in market integration for priority crops.
Institutional Strengthening
Strategizing initiatives and forums for improving coordination among multiple departments of the Government of Odisha and agriculture research institutions.
Agtech landscape in Odisha
- The agricultural sector in Odisha engages ~60% of the total workforce and accounts for ~18% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). While there has been a positive trend in the farmers’ income in the state, there is an opportunity to catalyse this increase through engagement of private sector in Odisha in improving the agricultural supply chain, credit & financing facilities, better marketing, and pricing for commodities.
- Odisha serves as an important landscape for leveraging technology to improve state-wide agricultural productivity and efficiency with over 100 Agri start-ups registered with Start-up Odisha. The Government of Odisha has also been instrumental in promoting innovation and technology through several initiatives. Important policy measures such as the Agricultural Policy of 2019 aims towards promoting the use of IoT sensors to keep real-time checks on input supply and consumption. It also aims to initiate the setting up of tech systems for automating grading and sorting and reducing food wastage.
- Additionally, there have been steps to form private government partnerships to utilize drone technology, remote sensing, satellite imagery, weather analysis etc. The data collected from these sources will be utilized for optimizing the credit and insurance sectors for agriculture.
- Other initiatives such as Startup Odisha and various incubators like Krishi Kalinga Innovation Council (focussed on Agri-tech) in the state are also aimed at facilitating innovation across sectors in Odisha.
Partner Organizations
DA&FE
The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment (DA&FE) is the key department tasked with providing the necessary impetus to the agriculture ecosystem in Odisha, empowering farmers towards greater agricultural productivity and increasing the farmers’ income. The department has three directorates, viz. Directorate of Agriculture and Food Production, Directorate of Horticulture and the Directorate of Soil Conservation and Water Resource Development, and a host of independent institutes and public sector undertakings to whom the department has entrusted the mandate to implement the schemes and services of the government.
F&ARD
The Department of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development (F&ARD) is entrusted with developing fisheries and animal resources sectors in Odisha. Through the Directorate of Fisheries (DoF), the department implements various activities to increase fish production in Odisha and also for the welfare of the fishermen. Through the Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (DH&VS), the department implements programs to increase the output from the livestock sector (animal and poultry) and increase economic activity and income for those engaged in the industry.
World Bank
The World Bank Group is an international development institution comprising 189 member countries. The Bank galvanizes international and national efforts towards achieving its mission to end extreme poverty within a generation and to promote shared prosperity.
Three priorities guide our work with countries to end poverty and boost prosperity for the poorest people: helping create sustainable economic growth, investing in people, and building resilience to shocks and threats that can roll back decades of progress.
Today, as India strives to maintain high growth and meet the aspirations of a billion people, the World Bank is helping the country implement some of its transformational development programs. The Bank has supported inclusive growth by helping expand access to education, tackle disease, raise agricultural productivity, improve rural connectivity, and bring much-needed water supply to village households
FCDO
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office pursues our national interests and projects the UK as a force for good in the world. We promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK’s security, defend our values, reduce poverty and tackle global challenges with our international partners.
GDi partners is an impact-driven start-up committed to transforming the lives of individuals and communities for an inclusive and equitable world. The firm aims to achieve its mission through the design and execution of large-scale development programs in partnership with governments and impact-oriented leaders.
Intellecap, a part of the Aavishkaar Group, is a pioneer in building enabling ecosystems and channeling capital to create and nurture a sustainable & equitable society. Founded in 2002, Intellecap works across critical sectors like Agriculture, Livelihoods, Climate Change, Clean Energy, Financial Services, Gender & Inclusion, Healthcare, Water and Sanitation, and has delivered over 500 global engagements across 40+ countries and syndicated investments of over 500 Million USD in Capital. Intellecap, through its presence in India and Africa, provides a broad range of Consulting, Research and Investment Banking Services, to Multilateral Agencies, Development Finance Institutions, Social Enterprises, Corporations, Investors, Policy Makers and Donors. Our common action platform, Sankalp Forum, one of the largest global inclusive development platforms, brings together the ecosystem to shape the way markets work for delivering the SDGs 2030. In 2021 Intellecap announced 100% acquisition of NRMC, a climate change ecosystem player. Select clients of Intellecap include the USAID, The World Bank, Ford Foundation, The Hans Foundation, Doen Foundation, GIZ, DFID, Hindustan Unilever, P&G, International Finance Corporation, Asian Development Bank and Michael and Susan Dell Foundation. For more details please visit www.intellecap.com
Odisha Millets Mission
Odisha Millets Mission is a flagship programme of Department of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment, Government of Odisha. A special Programme for Promotion of Millets in Tribal Areas of Odisha (Odisha Millets Mission) was launched by Govt of Odisha in 2017 to revive millets in farms and on plates. It emerged from a consultation between Government, Academia (NCDS) and Civil Society Organisations (RRA Network, ASHA Network and local NGOs). It is first of its kind of agriculture programme with priority on increasing consumption in Odisha.
Startup Odisha
Startup Odisha, an initiative of the MSME Department, Govt of Odisha to promote Ideas/Innovations of budding entrepreneurs in the state & recognising them as startups. It is also working towards innovation, development and improvement of products, process and services. Working towards the scaling-up of ideas towards a sustainable business model with a high potential of employment generation and wealth creation in the state. Since its inception, the Startup Odisha has been a home to the best entrepreneurial minds & has already supported and facilitated more than 800 Startups.
