Bhubaneswar, July 3 (UNI) The Enhancing Climate Resilience of India’s Coastal Communities (ECRICC) project in Odisha has been awarded first prize in the Government Sector category at the prestigious Seafood Expo Bharat 2025 (SEB-25), concluded at the Chennai Trade Centre today.
This recognition underscores ECRICC Odisha’s exemplary efforts in promoting climate-resilient aquaculture and inclusive, community-based development.
“It was an excellent opportunity for our last-mile cadre to represent the state on a national platform,” said one of the women climate champions during her on-stage address, confidently sharing her journey and inspiring many, according to official sources.
Organized by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, SEB-25 is one of the country’s largest platforms for stakeholders across the fisheries and aquaculture value chain.
The ECRICC Project is being implemented nationally by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) with support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
In Odisha, the project is executed by the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department. It promotes ecosystem-based adaptation and climate-resilient livelihoods in coastal communities.
As one of the lead implementing states, Odisha is pioneering scientific mud crab farming, ornamental fisheries, and sustainable aquaculture practices, strengthened through empowered local institutions and grassroots climate champions.
This initiative aligns with the Odisha Government’s commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contributes to the vision of building a Viksit Odisha by 2036, in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
At SEB-25, ECRICC Odisha showcased its achievements through a dedicated exhibition stall and participated in various technical sessions covering seafood trade, shrimp aquaculture, value addition, and more.
A key attraction was the live demonstration of pond-based mud crab farming, which received enthusiastic responses from visitors.
The stall also featured multimedia presentations and powerful transformation stories—particularly those led by women and marginalised communities—emphasising the project’s inclusive and people-centric approach.
A 14-member delegation from Odisha—including officials from the State Project Management Unit (SPMU) and District Project Management Units (DPMUs), climate champions, and beneficiary crab farmers—represented the state at the expo.
