THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

DHENKANAL, OCTOBER 7, 2026

As erratic weather patterns increasingly pose a challenge to paddy cultivation, farmers in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district are turning to climate-resilient farming practices to protect their crops, reduce risks and safeguard their livelihoods.

In Kamalanga and Mangalpur panchayats, where GMR Kamalanga Energy Limited (GKEL) operates a 1,050-MW thermal power plant, traditional farming practices are gradually giving way to a more informed and scientific approach to cultivation.

A farming initiative supported by the GMR Varalakshmi Foundation (GMRVF) through GKEL’s CSR programme now covers nearly 500 acres and has benefited more than 230 farmers across the two panchayats.

Implemented through the farmer-owned Hartha Brahmani Devi Farmer Producer Company (FPO), the initiative is helping cultivators make informed decisions on soil management, crop selection and cultivation practices, while improving their access to agricultural inputs and technical guidance.

Soil testing, climate-resilient paddy varieties, line sowing and the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) are among the practices being promoted under the initiative. Farmers are also being encouraged to use organic manure and bio-inputs, while eco-friendly pest-management measures such as pheromone and sticky traps are helping protect crops.

At locations vulnerable to animal intrusion, solar fencing is being used to minimise crop damage, adding another layer of protection for farmers who often face multiple risks during a cultivation cycle.

For farmers, the impact of these interventions is becoming visible in the fields.

 “Earlier, we largely depended on the methods we had been using for years. Soil testing has helped us understand what our fields need and choose the right variety and inputs. The crop is healthier and the tillering is better. The training has also given us greater confidence to deal with changing weather,” said Batu Raj, a farmer from Kamalanga.

In neighbouring Mangalpur, farmer Biranchi Narayan Sahoo said access to better information had changed the way many cultivators approached farming.

 “We have learned that small changes in farming practices can make a real difference. Understanding our soil, choosing suitable varieties and adopting better methods have helped us manage our crops more confidently. With the weather becoming unpredictable, this knowledge is especially valuable,” he said.

Beyond individual farms, the farmer producer company is strengthening collective action among cultivators by facilitating access to agricultural inputs and technical knowledge, encouraging the exchange of experiences and helping farmers find solutions to common challenges.

For communities dependent on agriculture, such changes are becoming increasingly important as weather uncertainty adds to the risks associated with cultivation.

In Kamalanga and Mangalpur, the move towards smarter and more climate-resilient cultivation is helping farmers build healthier crops while strengthening their ability to withstand changing conditions.

The transition may be taking place one field at a time, but for the farmers involved, it represents a broader shift — from relying solely on inherited practices to combining experience with science, information and collective action to secure their agricultural future.