Odisha, PPL Join Hands to Strengthen Farmer Training Under PPP Model
Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards strengthening agricultural extension services and farmer capacity building, the Odisha Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment has entered into a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with Paradeep Phosphates Limited (PPL) for the operation and management of the Farmers Training School at the State Institute for Training and Extension (SITE), Baramunda.
The initiative, launched under the guidance of Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy, aims to revitalise the training institute and enhance the quality of agricultural education and extension services provided to farmers across the state.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Paradeep Phosphates Limited (PPL) will organise year-round training programmes for farmers and agricultural personnel, maintain the institute’s campus, provide round-the-clock security, and contribute 40 per cent of the monthly electricity expenses.
The company will also deploy a technical expert to offer real-time agro-advisory services to farmers.
Officials said the partnership is expected to strengthen farmers’ access to modern agricultural practices, improve technical knowledge, and promote entrepreneurship in the farming sector.
The training programmes will focus on technology adoption, productivity enhancement, and skill development to meet emerging challenges in agriculture.
The initiative is also expected to create new livelihood opportunities in rural areas by encouraging entrepreneurship through Agro-Service Centres and other agri-business ventures.
With this collaboration, the government aims to transform SITE into a leading centre for agricultural training, technology transfer, and extension services while establishing a sustainable PPP model that can accelerate agricultural growth and rural development in Odisha.
