Sustainable Agriculture & Energy
Sustainable agriculture is an approach to farming that aims to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It encompasses a range of practices and principles that prioritize environmental stewardship, economic viability, and social equity. Mahashakti operates with a mission to promote environmentally friendly and socially responsible farming practices while enhancing food security and livelihoods in rural communities. It collaborates closely with smallholder farmers, providing training, resources, and technical support, and forming Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) on agroecological methods such as organic farming, integrated pest management, and soil conservation. By promoting biodiversity, water conservation, and natural resource management, Mahashakti empowers farmers to improve soil health, increase crop resilience to climate change, and reduce reliance on chemical inputs. Moreover, it facilitates market linkages for farmers, enabling them to access fair prices for their produce and fostering sustainable rural economies.
Mahashakti has formed 38 FPOs in the state of Odisha under the Government of India’s Central Sector Scheme project, which aims to form and promote 10,000 FPOs. Mahashakti is also an implementing agency for the Government of Odisha’s ambitious project, the Millet Mission, through which it aims to enhance the potential of millets through value-chain intervention. Under the Millet Mission, we have assisted 750 millet farmers in cultivating millets across more than 700 hectares of land in Bargarh district. We have also facilitated the formation of a millet FPO, ensuring an income of Rs 1.80 crore for around 320 farmers. Some other projects include “Promoting Climate-Resilient Practices in The Rice Sector,” “Rice Fallow Program,” Project WADI, and the Crop Diversification Project, among others. In a project with Core CarbonX, Mahashakti is dedicated to curbing the discharge of methane gas from paddy fields by implementing alternate drying and wetting methods. Through its holistic approach, Mahashakti demonstrates the transformative potential of sustainable agriculture in addressing food insecurity, poverty, and environmental degradation while promoting resilience and empowerment in farming communities.
