MSSRF is implementing compressive rice fallow management practices in Malakangiri district, Odisha, with the financial support of Directorate of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha. As water is a major issue for agriculture, large part of the farmland remains fallow after harvesting the paddy crop. To discuss the situation and create awareness on conserving water, MSSRF organised a programme for tribal farmers in Sardaguda village of Korukonda Grama Panchayat, Malakangiri district. It was block-level programme and 157 farmers participated. They came from six gram panchayats covering eight villages. During the programme, Block Agriculture officer Mr Dilip Kumar Majhi, and 11 village agriculture workers were present.
The intention was to create awareness among the tribal communities regarding water conservation and at the same time, help them understand how they can manage water resources to improve crop intensity in the fields. The community used the occasion to celebrate Farmers’ Field Day recognising the importance of growing pulses. Green gram and black gram farmers participated. Field day celebrations were organised under the CRFM project.
