From the Secretary’s Desk

As we walk into another chapter of Pragati, Koraput’s journey, I am pleased to share the glimpses of impacts of our programmes. We hope this report demonstrates our commitment, success and learnings.
       We are happy as we continue our journey through an intricate mosaic of projects that include the promotion of eco-friendly irrigation, climate-resilient agriculture and women microenterprises through community organisations like farmer producer groups and farmer producer companies. By collaborating with multiple stakeholders, Government, national and international development agencies and communities, we create a visible and positive impact among the smallholders and resources poor families.
       Pragati has continued to focus on scaling up a System of Crop Intensification with agroecological practices and model farms that have proved to generate employment in the family farms, reduce distress migration, enhance the income and nutritional food security of the small farm holders depending on rain-fed agriculture. The FPOs are being nurtured for aggregation, value addition and market linkage of the producers of small and marginal farmers. Pragati has started a new initiative targeting women and men youth to create better livelihood opportunities leading towards their empowerment and engagement in community development. The “Women Micro-enterprises through Self-help” is gradually expanding and diversifying through new enterprises like livestock rearing, farm mechanization, rural transport, etc.
       I take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to The Dewan Foundation, EdelGive Foundation, ICRISAT, Government of Odisha (Odisha Millet Mission), NABARD, IRRI, CIP, Dalyan Foundation, Australian High Commission (Direct Aid Programme) for their generous support as well as the members of the Board, and the communities for joining forces with us to achieve our goal for a better society where everyone has the right to dignified means of livelihood.

Prabhakar Adhikari
Secretary