THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

KALINGANAGAR, JANUARY 30, 2026

The ninth edition of Arunima, Tata Steel Foundation’s flagship community-based initiative, concluded on a high note with a vibrant Farmers’ Conclave at Sukinda College, drawing the participation of over 350 farmers from the Bamnipal region in Keonjhar district and the Sukinda and Kalinganagar regions of Jajpur district. The conclave emerged as a powerful platform for dialogue, learning and collaboration, reinforcing a shared commitment to sustainable agriculture and inclusive rural growth.

Marking the culmination of a three-day programme, the conclave placed strong emphasis on Integrated Farming Systems, rational water use and climate-resilient agricultural practices. Discussions highlighted the growing need to align traditional farming wisdom with modern, sustainable solutions that not only enhance productivity but also conserve natural resources for future generations. The event underlined the vision of harmonious growth between agriculture, communities and industry.

A key focus of the conclave was the transformative role of Farmer Producer Organisations as catalysts of rural prosperity. Speakers and experts outlined how FPOs enable economies of scale, strengthen collective bargaining power, improve market access and ensure long-term financial stability for farmers. These insights resonated strongly with participants seeking resilient livelihood models in the face of climate and market uncertainties.

Recognising grassroots leadership in sustainability, around 45 farmers were felicitated for their exemplary contributions to eco-friendly farming practices and income generation. Their achievements stood as living examples of how innovation and stewardship can go hand in hand in rural landscapes.

Addressing the gathering, Pragyan Parimita Prusty, Block Development Officer, Sukinda, underscored the importance of adopting technology-driven and climate-smart agricultural practices such as crop rotation, agroforestry, organic farming and water conservation. The conclave also looked ahead to the future of farming, exploring the use of AI-driven tools and digital platforms including Gemini, ChatGPT, Perplexity and Plantix. These were showcased as accessible and free resources to help farmers manage plant health, access knowledge, innovate and tap into government schemes, thereby strengthening informed decision-making at the grassroots level.

Sharing the broader impact of Tata Steel Foundation’s interventions, Debanjan Mukherjee, Cluster Head, informed that more than 25,000 farmers across Bamnipal, Sukinda and Kalinganagar have been engaged so far, with over 400 changemakers identified. These efforts have resulted in the generation of over ₹2 lakh in irreversible annual income per farmer through diversified agricultural and livelihood initiatives.

The conclave concluded with colourful cultural performances celebrating the region’s rich agrarian heritage, providing a fitting finale to Arunima 2026 and reaffirming the power of community participation in advancing sustainable and inclusive development.