EVENT

World Environment Day 2024

“Our Land, Our Future”.

With the objective of raising awareness about climate change, global warming, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity, Pragati, Koraput observed World Environment Day 2024 at Jeypore, Kotpad, Koraput, Lamtaput and Nandapur, block areas of Koraput district. The program was organised in the presence of Govt. Officials, farmers of respective block areas and youth. More than 80 farmers and youth from the concerned block areas participated in the program and were sensitized on significance of conservation of forests, sustainable use of land and water resources, adoption of responsible habits, and promoting eco-friendly practices. Saplings were planted in all the locations as a part of the event to spread awareness on forest conservation for adaptation to climate change.

International Potato Day 2024

Pragati, Koraput in collaboration with International Potato Centre (CIP) has been promoting potato cultivation in Nandapur, Lamtaput, Koraput, Kotpad, Jeypore, and Borigumma, block areas of Koraput district. On the occasion of International Potato Day2024, around 30 farmers from Nandapur, Lamtaput, Jeypore and Borigumma blocks participated in the orientation and exposure organised by International Potato Centre(CIP) at High Altitude Research Station (HARS), in Pottangi block of Koraput district. Mr. Shahid Ali, Project Manager CIP orientated the farmers on package of practices for potato cultivation, potato seed production through apical root cutting (ARC). Deputy Director Horticulture and Head of HARS oriented the farmers on potato cultivation and reiterated the need for potato seed production. The Secretary and Executive Director of Pragati shared their experiences of potato promotion especially in Kharif season among the tribal farmers of Koraput District and also the innovations like zero tillage method. Pragati with support of CIP has also planned for potato seed production through ARC during Kharif 2024 with the young farmers of Nandapur Block. The farmers also visited the ARC nursery at HARS, Pottangi.

Akshaya Tritiya 2024

On the occasion of Auspicious Akshaya Tritiya 2024, Pragati, Koraput observed Akshaya Tritiya in its action areas of Koraput district. The farmers and youth men and women from different villages participated in the observation in their respective block areas. The programme was facilitated by the field staff of Pragati in the presence of line department officials.  In this connection Pragati educated the participants about the indigenous seed production, Kalajeera rice cultivation, Organic farming, forest conservation and women entrepreneurship development and discussed about the Kharif plan 2024.

 International Womens Day 2024.
"Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress"
On the occasion of International Womens Day, Pragati, Koraput celebrated the International Womens Day 2024 with the women entrepreneurs and youth women in Jeypore and Kotpad Blocks in the presence of women entrepreneurs, Anganwadi Workers, Staff from OLM and Asha workers. The programme was facilitated by Team Leaders, Programme Executives of Pragati. The women entrepreneurs from Jeypore block and Youth women along with women farmers in Kotpad block participated in the events and shared their experiences and needs. Pragati has been promoting women entrepreneurship development for the youth women and women farmers in its action areas of Koraput district with the objective to improve their livelihood through climate smart agriculture and self-employment in allied sector. The rural and women headed households adopting a diverse range of agricultural practices with organic farming, eco-friendly irrigation infrastructure and micro enterprises which have enhanced their income and changed quality of lives.

World Soil Day 2023

"Soil and Water: A Source of Life".

Pragati, Koraput observed the World Soil Day 2023 with the farmers of its action areas in Koraput, Kotpad, Jeypore and Nandapur blocks. Pragati has been working for soil heath management, sustainable agriculture and ecological farming practices for the benefit of small and marginal farmers in Koraput District. The programmes focused on spreading awareness among the farmers on protection of soil health for sustainable agriculture, fostering biodiversity, sustainable management of water in agriculture for combating climate change and food security. The discussions mainly emphasized on the improvement of soil health through sustainable management of soil and water resources, adoption of organic farming, using organic amendments like Bijamruta, Jeevamruta and promotion of natural farming.

Celebration of Harvest festival of millets (Ragi)

Pragati, Koraput under the Odisha Millets Mission programme, Govt. of Odisha has organized the harvest festival of millets (Ragi) in Bilaput village of Nandapur block on 26 November 2023. Assistant Agriculture Officer, Nandapur along with his team, Secretary, Executive Director, Team Leader and other team members of Pragati, millet growing farmers and women SHG leaders from Nandapur block participated in the programme. Crop cutting was done in a farmers field to record the yield. The farmers were encouraged to adopt system of millet intensification, diversify millets(small millets, fox tail millet, sorghum etc) for climate resilient agriculture and also to market their millets at minimum support price.

"Experience sharing by grassroots NGOs and policy recommendations for better field implementation of Odisha Millet Mission"

Pragati, Koraput in association with OMM has organized a session on "Experience sharing by grassroots NGOs and policy recommendations for better field implementation of Odisha Millet Mission" on 10th November 2023 at the International Convention on Millets at Janata Maidan, Bhubaneswar. Sj. Ranendra Pratap Swain, Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment, Odisha, addressed the session and encouraged the NGOs to continue their efforts in social mobilisation for the promotion of millets for the benefit of small and marginal farmers speakers included Mr Krishna Prasad, Sahaja Seeds Samrudhha, Karnatka Mr. Naresh Biswas, Nirman, MP, Mr. Jacob Nelliayhanam, Bharat Beej Swaraj Manch, Prof. Srijit Mishra, Dr Debabrata Panda, Assistant Professor, Central University Odisha, Prof. Nimain Charan Mishra, retired prof. OUAT, Mr Bidyadhar Maharana, an Expert on climate-smart agriculture, emphasised the conservation of local landraces and improved the package of practices. A booklet on "Agro-ecological innovation in millets for climate resilient food basket- Grassroot NGO Experiences" compiled by Pragati Koraput was released by Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Department of Agriculture & Farmers Empowerment, Government of Odisha. Jagdananda, Member Secretary, CYSD, chaired the session, and Mr. Prabhakar Adhikari was the co-chair. The grassroots NGOs, i.e. SWATI, NIRMAN, and Jana Sahajya, shared their experiences and suggestions for better implementation of the OMM programme. Secretary Pragati Koraput shared the journey of SMI, the innovations, and the role of OMM in reviving millets. On behalf of grassroots NGOs, the Executive Director of Pragati presented recommendations for a way forward. The Principal Secretary felicitated the first SMI-adopting farmer, Sri Bijaya Muduli, Raising Village in Nandapur Block of Koraput District.

World Environment Day 2023

Protect the environment for future generations.

In order to raise awareness on the importance of protecting the environment Pragati, Koraput observed World Environment Day 2023 in Dangarkarchi village under Ranigada GP of Jeypore block of Koraput district. The secretary and Executive Director of Pragati Koraput participated in the programme and sensitised the farmers on conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, revival of indigenous seeds and organic farming practices. The secretary and Executive Director, Pragati also planted trees with the villagers

Observation of Akshya Tritiya 2023

Pragati,koraput with support of EdelGive Foundation and in association with its Farmers Producer Companies observed the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya (the traditional festival celebrating beginning of agriculture) in operational areas of Nandapur, Lamtaput, Koraput, kotpad, Borigumma and Jeypore blocks of Koraput district. The line department officials and PRIs participated in the events.The farmers were oriented on the different climate smart agricultural practices,conservation of indigenous seeds,eco friendly irrigation as well as Government schemes. Seed broadvasting was done in farmers fields to commemorate the observation.

Observation of World Food Day 2018

Pragati, Koraput with support of ICRISAT, Hyderabad observed the World Food Day 2018 on 16 October 2018 in Sukriput village of Nandapur Block, Koraput District, Odisha. The participants included 200 farmers from different Panchayats of Nandapur block, representatives of Panchayati Raj institutions, members of women self help groups and the team members of Pragati, Koraput.

The observation of the World Food Day by Pragati Koraput included an awareness rally around the village by the participants, meeting with stakeholders, food festival with millet recipes.

The participants took out an awareness rally around the village with slogans on food and nutrition security through increasing production, consumption of indigenous foods, revival of millets and pulses, benefit of organic foods etc. The placards displayed different messages on food and nutrition security.

A meeting was organised to sensitize the participants and reiterate the pledge for Zero hunger. The meeting started with Lighting of Lamp by the Guests of Honor.

The Executive Director of Pragati, Dr. Luna Panda shared about the objective of the Observation of World Food Day. She discussed on the need of addressing the issues of farmers, enhancing capacity of women farmers, creating opportunities for increasing production to address food and nutritional insecurity and improve the living condition of the farmers.

Mr. Deba Sisha, Sarpanch and  Smt. Sushila Bairagi, Member Panchayat Samiti encouraged the farmers to adopt improved practices to increase production as the land resource is getting scarce and the farmers become vulnerable to climate change effects. Mr.  Narsulu Kamudi, Member Zilla Parisad spoke on the need for increasing knowledge of farmers on improved technologies,  motivating youth in agriculture, conservation of indigenous crops and seeds, promotion of location specific crops like millets and tuber crops which can resist climate change effects and development of necessary infrastructures to support production systems, value addition and market linkages.

Mr. Muralidhar Adhikari, Team Leader Pragati discussed on the Bhoochetana Programme of ICRISAT which also ultimately aims at increasing production through rejuvenation of soil. ICRISAT has supported Pragati for soil testing and crop demonstrations.

Pragati, Koraput collaboration with CIFA

Pragati, Koraput in collaboration with ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), Bhubaneswar organized an Awareness Programme and Scientist-Farmers interaction meet at Farmer’s Field School, Dayanidhiguda, Koraput on 19^th September 2018. Koraput District of Odisha is identified as one of the Aspirational (tribal) districts by the Government of India.  The district has been adopted under Tribal Sub-Plan Scheme of ICAR-CIFA for demonstration of scientific aquaculture practices for livelihood development of tribal farming communities from 2018.  A team of experts from ICAR-CIFA namely Dr. Bikash Chandra Mohapatra, Chairman Tribal Sub Plan and Principal Scientist, Dr. Ahok Barat, Principal Scientist and Dr. Utkal Laxmi Mohanty, Senior Technical Officer along with Pragati team, Dr. Luna Panda, Executive Director Pragati, Mr Muralidhar Adhikari, Team Leader Mr. Lingaraj Acharya, Project Coordinator visited Pragati action areas during 17-19 September, 2018 for selection of ponds and beneficiaries for adoption in association with the Pragati team. 

On 19 September, 2018 the Awareness Programme was conducted to make the farmers aware of the technologies available with ICAR-CIFA for fresh water aquaculture, which can be useful for adoption and for better economic returns to the farmers. The programme was attended by 200 farmers and delegates from the district. The CIFA team spoke on the scheme under Tribal Sub Plan for aquaculture and the technical aspects of fish farming. The Deputy Director of Fisheries, Government of Odisha, Koraput &  District Agriculture Officer, Koraput discussed on the schemes of Government , the challenges and opportunities in Koraput District. Dr. S.K. Palita, Professor & Dean, Department of  Conservation of Biodiversity and Natural Resources Management, Central University, Odisha, Koraput spoke on the rich bio-diversity of Eastern Ghats of which Koraput District is a part and encouraged the farmers to adopt diversified livelihoods so that they can achieve economic well being and live with dignity. 

As a follow up action fish fingerlings have been distributed to 170 farmers of Koraput, Kotpad, Borigumma and Nandapur Blocks of Koraput District.

Observation of International Women’s Day 2018

Pragati, Koraput observed the  International Women’s Day on 8^th March 2018 at Dayanidhiguda Farmers’ Field School in  Koraput block of Koraput District. 400 women from five blocks of Koraput District namely, Kotpad, Nandapur, Borigumma, Koraput and Lamtaput Blocks, Panchayati Raj representatives, line department officials and media persons participated in the programme.  

The programme started with formal Lighting of Lamp by the Hon’ble guests who included, Smt. Namita Majhi, Chairperson, Koraput Block, Smt. Parbati Masti, Member, Zilla Parisad, Smt. Damuni Bisoyi, Vice-Chairperson, Kotpad block, Mr. Murali Misra, AGM, NABARD, Koraput and Smt. Diptimayee Bastia, Assistant Horticulture Officer.

Mr. Prabhakar Adhikari, Secretary, Pragati, Koraput delivered the key note address and shared about the objective of the programme. Dr. Luna Panda, Executive Director, Pragati presented about the programmes of Pragati for socio-economic empowerment of women and gender mainstreaming which include organizing women around different institutions, enhancing their skills in leadership, natural resource management and sustainable agriculture.

The Hon’ble Guests spoke about the significance of International Women’s Day and role of women in different levels of society. They emphasized on raising awareness of women, education of girl child, financial literacy for women and increasing participation of women in economic activities as well as governance so that the rural women can be able to participate equally with their male counterparts.

The participant women leaders and progressive women farmers shared their experiences and best practices in forest conservation, organic farming, adoption of improved agriculture like System of Rice Intensification, participation in local self governance and addressing social issues like anti liquor campaigns.

On this occasion, the Project proposal and Budget of Edelgive supported project“Ensuring Nutritional Food Security and Income of Small and Marginal Farmers of Koraput District” was shared with the stakeholders. The project will be implemented in Koraput, Kotpad, Borigumma, Nandapur and Lamtaput blocks of Koraput District covering 6000 small and marginal farmers from January 2018 to December 2010. The project will have three key components i.e. organizing Farmer Producer Groups and developing their skills in sustainable agriculture, promotion of system of crop intensification in rice, millets, pulses and vegetables, and demonstration of diversion based irrigation through solar and gravity fed irrigation.

The programme ended with a note to empower women socially, economically and politically so that they can contribute to the larger development goals.

Farmer`s Training on Spices Cultivation

Pragati Koraput in association with Spices Board, India, (Ministry of Trade and Commerce, Govt. of India) organized a Training for farmers on 3^rd December 2016 at the Farmer Field School, Dayanidhiguda. 50 farmers from Mahadeiput and Kendar Gram Panchayats of Koraput Block participated in the programme.

The Deputy Director of Spices Board, Dr. Srikantan Thampi, Guntur participated in the programme along with his team from Guntur Mr. Vishwa Bhusan Josi, Field Officer, Mr. Sudip Jose, Agriculture Demonstrator. The Resource Persons for the programme included Mr. Lingaraj Acharya, Deputy Director, Horticulture, Koraput, Mr. Parsuram Sial, Senior Scientist, Pottangi Research Station and Smt. Sunita Behera, Junior Scientist, Pottangi Research Station. Dr. Luna Panda, Executive Director Pragati coordinated the programme while Ms. Geetha, Field Demonstrator, Spices Board, Koraput organized the programme.

The Deputy Director of Spices Board, Dr. Srikantan Thampi presented that Spices Board has an objective to strengthen farmer’s skills on cultivation, value addition and market linkage to enhance the income level of farmers. The Spices Board, Koraput will be strengthened and its work will be extended for the benefit of the farmers of Koraput District, as there is immense potential in the areas for promotion of especially ginger, turmeric and black pepper.

Mr. Parsuram Sial, Senior Scientist, Pottangi Research Station oriented the farmers on improved package of practices for ginger and turmeric through organic practices which included seed selection to seed preservation. He also shared a few examples of value addition in ginger and turmeric which can be low cost and adaptable by the farmers. Smt. Sunita Behera, Junior Scientist, discussed about pest and disease management in spices cultivation, especially ginger and turmeric and she emphasized more importance on seed treatment which is the key step to prevent pest and diseases. Mr. Lingaraj Acharya, Deputy Director, Horticulture, Koraput encouraged the farmers to adopt improved package of practices in spices cultivation.

Observation of World Food Day 2018

Observation of NABARD Foundation Day on 12^th July 2016.  Pragati, Koraput is association with NABARD, Koraput organised a workshop on “Financial Literacy Awareness” at COATS, Koraput on the occasion of NABARD Foundation Day on 12^th July 2016. The participants in the workshop included bankers, representatives of NGOs, media and self-help group members. Dr. Luna Panda, Executive Director, Pragati Koraput coordinated the programme while Mr. Murali Misra, DDM, NABARD presided over the programme.

The Chief Guest Mr. Ram Chandra Naik, Manager Lead Bank stressed on the importance of financial inclusion and said that every men and women in the district should have a bank account. The bankers and NGOs should coordinate and cooperate to spread financial literacy. He also shared about the crop insurance scheme and the Sukanya Yojana for the girl child which are very relevant for the people in the rural areas.

Mr. Sashi Pradhani, Financial Literacy, Counsellor discussed in detail about the various schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jandhan Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana, Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana. He emphasised on the need of financial inclusion and said that financial literacy can be ensured through mobilisation of the target groups and cooperation of all stakeholders like bankers, NGOs and Government officials. The Director of RSETI(Rural Self Employment Training Institute), Koraput Mr. R.K. Nandi, shared about the different vocational training programmes conducted by his institute.

The representatives of NGOs shared the success stories of SHGs and also the issues which are encountered by the SHGs and farmers for opening bank accounts, availing loans and subsidies.

 Dr. Luna Panda, Executive Director, Pragati discussed about the importance of Producer Organisations and  the role of NGOs in mobilisation for financial inclusion of the people in the rural areas.

Mr. Murali Misra,DDM ,NABARD put forth a plan of action for spreading financial literacy to reach out to the people in the rural areas. He suggested NGOs for organising Panchayat and cluster level workshops to spread the message of financial inclusion and NABARD will be supporting for the same.

Mr. Ram Chandra Naik, Manager Lead Bank assured that he would be taking up the issues at district level and in case of need at state level. Deputy Manager State Bank, Jeypore, Branch Mana