World Food Programme India 109d ago

Women farmers in Odisha are facing increasing climate risks that threaten their crops and livelihoods. The World Food Programme, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha, is implementing the project Resilient and Inclusive Initiatives for Sustainability and Empowerment in Odisha (RIISE). Through the RIISE project, farmers like Ambika are gaining access to climate information and digital advisories that help them make better farming decisions. The project focuses on strengthening climate resilience among smallholder farmers, women farmers and their collectives through an empowerment-based approach. By providing access to weather forecasts, crop advisories and market information, farmers are better equipped to manage climate risks, reduce crop losses and improve farm productivity. RIISE also aims to enhance the socio-economic empowerment of smallholder farmers and women self-help groups, contributing to sustainable household food security and improved nutrition outcomes. Currently, the project supports 7,700 farmers across 10 Gram Panchayats in four blocks of Ganjam district in Odisha. By combining climate information, community engagement and agricultural innovation, the RIISE project is helping build more resilient farming systems and sustainable livelihoods for rural communities.