ODISHA’S ANNUAL REPORT HIGHLIGHTS IFPRI-SUPPORTED GENDER AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE INITIATIVES IN AGRICULTURE
The Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment (DA&FE), Government of Odisha, has highlighted two key institutional initiatives supported by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in its Annual Activity Report 2025–26: the Gender Responsive Cell (GRC) and the Climate Resilience Cell (CRC).
The Gender Responsive Cell was operationalized on 29 November 2025 to institutionalize a gender-responsive approach across agricultural policy formulation, program design, implementation, and monitoring in Odisha. The Cell serves as an analytical and coordination hub within the Department, supporting the use of gender-disaggregated data, gender-responsive budgeting, and evidence-based policy assessments. It also aims to strengthen monitoring, evaluation, and learning frameworks through tools such as the Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI) while building the capacity of departmental officials and frontline staff to address gender gaps in agricultural programs. The report further notes that an inception workshop was held on 13 February 2026 under the leadership of the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister to define the roadmap for the Cell’s future work. IFPRI is a partner supporting this initiative as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen evidence-based and inclusive agricultural policymaking in Odisha.
The report also highlights the Department’s Climate Resilience Cell, which has been institutionalized to bring a climate lens to agricultural policies and programs with support from IFPRI and CSTEP. The CRC works with international partners and CGIAR institutes on policy coherence, dialogue, evaluation, policy integration, and capacity building to support more inclusive and climate-resilient agri-food systems in the state. The initiative reflects Odisha’s commitment to embedding climate resilience within agricultural planning and implementation through evidence-based approaches.
