WASSANIndia

A significant step towards strengthening farmer-led value chains and improving market access for turmeric growers in Odisha. A total of 3.5 MT of dry turmeric has been successfully sold by Chasi Bhai FPC to Kyatham’s Sri Vidya Cold Storage Pvt. Ltd., procured from 20 farmers of Chitrakonda, Malkangiri. The FPC invested nearly ₹4.5 lakhs from its own resources for this initiative, with another 3.5 MT planned for sale next week. This initiative demonstrates the potential of collective farmer enterprises in ensuring better price realization by reducing dependence on middlemen. The process has been facilitated through coordination with the national-level spices value chain company Krishikan Pvt. Ltd., are supporting us to make Chitrakonda turmeric a nationally recognised produce while start supporting us in the value chain. The effort also opens up opportunities for stronger linkages with FMCG companies and value-added markets. Discussions are underway on curcumin extraction from turmeric, which carries significant market demand and premium pricing potential. Appreciation to our WASSANIndia Team in Chitrakonda, Malkangiri, Odisha, for enabling this important initiative towards farmer empowerment and sustainable value chains. #Turmeric #FarmerProducerCompany #FPO #ValueChain #SustainableAgriculture #MarketLinkages #Farmers #Odisha #Malkangiri #AgriBusiness #Spices #RuralLivelihoods #WASSAN #CollectiveFarming

Please join us for a CoFTI Learning Circle Series as we explore how decentralised cooling solutions can help reduce food loss, strengthen rural and urban livelihoods, and build resilient food systems. 📍 Webinar title: Cooling for Livelihoods: Decentralised Solutions for Food Loss Reduction 📅 Date: May 28, 2026 🕒 Time: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM IST 💻 Platform: Zoom Panellists: • Prof. Rajeswari S. Raina, professor, Shiv Nadar University • Dr. Vishal Singhal, CEO, Coldeasy • Yabbati Nagaraju, Sr. Manager, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) Discussant: • Anitha K.S., CEO, Sadaliamma Horticulture Farmers Producer Company Moderator: • Dr. Anita Pinheiro, CoFTI Secretariat, WASSANIndia JOIN THE ZOOM MEETING LINK OR SCAN THE QR CODE https://lnkd.in/geGAtuJM Meeting ID: 924 3954 6922 Passcode: 022827 Priyamvada Kowshik Rajeswari Raina Vishal Singhal #CoFTI #FoodSystems #Livelihoods #CoolingSolutions #ClimateResilience #GrassrootsInnovationTech #FoodLossReduction #Agriculture #FoodSecurity #Mandis #Webinar #Sustainability #

Sharing an insightful article by Monuhar Pegu, published today in Village Square, on Assam’s traditional Bao Dhan cultivation system that continues to sustain wetland ecosystems and support livelihoods in flood-prone areas. The article explains how these deepwater rice varieties naturally adapt to rising flood levels while strengthening biodiversity, conserving wetland ecology, supporting fish habitats, and enhancing climate resilience. It also draws attention to the urgent need to preserve such indigenous farming practices as traditional agricultural systems increasingly face pressure from monoculture farming and changing land-use patterns. An important read on the role of traditional ecological knowledge in promoting sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and resilient rural livelihoods. Read here: https://lnkd.in/gBv89URC #BaoDhan #Assam #WetlandConservation #Agroecology #Biodiversity #ClimateResilience #SustainableAgriculture #TraditionalKnowledge #IndigenousFarming #FoodSystems #RainfedAgriculture #RuralLivelihoods #EcologicalFarming #ClimateAction #VillageSquare

We are pleased to share an insightful article by our colleague Aniket Likhar, published today in Down To Earth on the occasion of #InternationalBiologicalDiversityDay. The article sheds light on the alarming decline of traditional crop diversity in Vidarbha due to the growing spread of monoculture farming, while highlighting the inspiring efforts of dedicated seed conservers who continue to protect indigenous millets, pulses, and native rice varieties against many odds. Their work plays a crucial role in strengthening biodiversity, nutrition security, and climate resilience, while preserving invaluable agricultural heritage for future generations. Heartiest congratulations to Aniket for bringing these important grassroots stories and voices to wider attention. Read more | https://lnkd.in/gJmVkMNp #InternationalBiologicalDiversityDay #BiodiversityDay2026 #SeedConservation #Agrobiodiversity #ClimateResilience #NutritionSecurity #Millets #IndigenousSeeds #Vidarbha #SustainableAgriculture #DownToEarth #WASSAN

On the occasion of #InternationalBiologicalDiversityDay2026, we are happy to share this insightful article contributed by our colleagues Susanta Sekhar Choudhury, Pritesh Sundar Roy, Pulak Ranjan Nayak, Bikash Das, Biswa Shankar Das, and Suresh Kumar Sahoo, highlighting how Odisha’s tribal seed keepers are strengthening biodiversity and climate resilience through traditional seed conservation practices, published in Down To Earth The article highlights how tribal women farmers in Odisha are preserving disappearing millet landraces that can survive drought, erratic rainfall, and poor soils — offering valuable lessons for climate resilience, food security, and biodiversity conservation. We encourage everyone to read and share this inspiring story. Please do share your comments and reflections on the article. Read more | https://lnkd.in/gqQc3gqm #InternationalBiologicalDiversityDay #BiodiversityDay2026 #ClimateResilience #Millets #AgroBiodiversity #SeedKeepers #IndigenousKnowledge #FoodSecurity #WomenFarmers #Odisha #TribalCommunities #SustainableAgriculture #MilletDiversity #CommunityConservation #TraditionalKnowledge

Lastly, we are delighted to share this insightful article by our colleague Abhijit Mohanty, published in Scroll.in. The article thoughtfully highlights how pastoral and herding communities across India play a vital role in sustaining pollinators, biodiversity, and fragile commons through traditional ecological knowledge and community-led stewardship of landscapes. It reminds us that conserving bees and biodiversity is deeply connected with protecting grasslands, commons, and the communities that have nurtured these ecosystems for generations. Sincere congratulations to Abhijit for bringing attention to this important and often overlooked connection between livelihoods, ecology, and conservation. https://lnkd.in/gNdv4VBP #WorldBeeDay #Pollinators #Biodiversity #PastoralCommunities #Grasslands #Commons #TraditionalKnowledge #CommunityConservation #SustainableLivelihoods #Ecology #Bees #EnvironmentalConservation #WASSAN #ScrollIndia

A meaningful initiative showcasing how rural innovation, local entrepreneurship, and community-led solutions can sustainably strengthen livelihoods. It is encouraging to see Innovation Guild and WASSANIndia supporting grassroots ecosystems by connecting technology with the real needs of rural communities. Such collaborative efforts play an important role in building resilient and self-reliant villages across India. 🌱 Special thanks to Rakesh Jana for beautifully capturing and sharing these field experiences through his video reel. #RuralDevelopment #WASSANIndia #InnovationGuild #GrassrootsInnovation #SustainableLivelihoods #TechnologyForGood