BHUBANESWAR: With focus on two issues bothering the State - disaster management and farmers’ welfare - the State Government on Friday signed two MoUs.For disaster management, the Government entered into an agreement with Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) to integrate new generation digital algorithm-based technologies and best practices from 48 RIMES member countries of Asia, Africa and the Pacific with Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA).
Managing Director, OSDMA, Bishnupada Sethi signed the pact with AR Subbiah from RIMES in the presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Initially, the agreement will be in force for five years and around `8 crore will be spent. “We have taken up various initiatives for strengthening the early warning systems by implementing latest technologies and building partnerships with international agencies. Our objective is to ensure zero casualty for all disasters,” Sethi said.
Among others, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Maheswar Mohanty and Chief Secretary AP Padhi were present. In another development, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment in collaboration with Jindal Stainless Limited and social enterprise Gram Unnati Foundation will implement a unique project to help farmers double their income.
Gram Unnati will conduct the baseline survey at each selected location, design a customised intervention plan and identify relevant partners. It will also be responsible for implementing the project by conducting timely training of farmers, providing them access to quality inputs and developing market linkages for produce. Initially it will be implemented for two lakh farmers from across nine districts for three years.
The MoU for this was signed by Director of Agriculture and Food Production M Muthu Kumar, JSL unit head Mohan Lal and Aneesh Jain from GUF signed an MoU in the presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday. Chairperson of Jindal Stainless Foundation Deepika Jindal said doubling farmers’ income is an ambitious Government programme which will immensely benefit farmers in increasing their productivity and earnings.