Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The Gujarati Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) and the Odisha government have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). By offering training programs centered on growing the fish market in the state, this partnership aims to enhance the abilities of Odisha’s farmers and Fisheries Officers. Anu Garg, the Development Commissioner-turned-Additional Chief Secretary, was present at the Rajiv Bhawan when the Memorandum of Understanding was signed.
The Odisha Integrated Irrigation Project for Climate Resilient Agriculture (OIIPCRA), the Department of Water Resources, the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department, and IRMA are among the important institutions involved in the deal. Strengthening the commercialization of fishery products under OIIPCRA is the goal.
As part of this collaboration, Fisheries Officers and progressive farmers will receive residential training, including a special program for officials called Training of Trainers (ToT). The training will focus on strategies to improve fish consumption in the domestic market, marketing techniques, and understanding consumer behavior. The program will also cover supply chain management, organize visits to successful value chains, and encourage teamwork and learning among participants.
The meeting was attended by various officials, including Director of Fisheries Sadique Alam, Project Director of OIIPCRA Rashmi Ranjana Nayak, and Director of IRMA Dr. Umakant Dash, along with other senior officers from the Departments of Water Resources, Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development, and WorldFish.
