THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
JANUARY 11, 2026
Sisir
Saras–2026 has placed coconut farming at the centre of its rural development
agenda, using the vibrant fair as a platform to empower farmers and women
entrepreneurs across coastal Odisha through a strong “Farm to Market” approach.
The ten-day event, underway in the state capital, is blending its popular
showcase of SHG products with focused capacity-building initiatives aimed at
strengthening livelihoods and agri-based enterprises.
On the second
day of the fair, a capacity-building workshop titled “Farm to Market: Coconut
Farming in Coastal Odisha, Value Addition in Crops and Entrepreneurial
Opportunities” was organised to promote coconut cultivation in coastal
districts and to reinforce market linkages for farmers and producer groups. The
workshop focused on enhancing incomes not only through primary production but
also through value addition, processing, packaging, branding and marketing of
coconut and other crops.
Community-Based
Organizations (CBOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organizations
(FPOs), farmers, entrepreneurs, business managers and members of the general
public from various coastal districts participated actively in the programme,
reflecting growing interest in sustainable agriculture and entrepreneurship.
Experts,
during the technical sessions, deliberated on key aspects of coconut
cultivation suited to coastal agro-climatic conditions, appropriate processing
technologies and the development of value-added products. Discussions covered
quality standards, innovative packaging solutions and effective marketing
strategies, with special emphasis on pure coconut oil, coconut-based food
products, coconut production and other crop-based enterprises.
Through
interactive and discussion-based sessions, participants gained practical
insights into challenges faced from production to marketing under the “Farm to
Market” framework, along with workable solutions and emerging opportunities.
The sessions also highlighted how women can generate sustainable income by
leveraging local natural resources through their own initiatives.
The workshop
emerged as a significant platform for promoting efficient agriculture and successful
market creation at the rural level, adding a fresh dimension to livelihood
generation and entrepreneurship in coastal Odisha, and reinforcing Sisir
Saras–2026 as a catalyst for inclusive rural growth.
