Gender Responsive Cell inaugurated in Krushi Bhavan to Strengthen Inclusive Agricultural Governance

Bhubaneswar-29/11/2025:Hon’ble Deputy Chief Ministers Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Smt. Pravati Parida jointly inaugurated the Gender Responsive Cell (GRC) at the Krushi Bhawan today. The Cell, inaugurated in collaboration with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), marks an important step toward embedding gender equity into the State’s agricultural governance systems.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo emphasized that the launch of the GRC strengthens Odisha’s longstanding commitment to inclusive agricultural development. “Odisha has always championed progressive agricultural reforms, and the launch of this Gender Responsive Cell reflects our resolve to make agricultural governance more inclusive, evidence-led, and responsive to the needs of women farmers. As women constitute a significant share of our agricultural workforce, we must ensure they have equitable access to schemes, technologies, markets, and opportunities, he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Smt. Pravati Parida highlighted the timeliness and broader significance of launching the Gender Responsive Cell, especially as the world prepares to observe the UN International Year of the Woman Farmer (2026). As we approach the UN International Year of the Woman Farmer, this launch of an exclusive GRC shows our commitment to the women of our state and becomes even more meaningful when our state takes such initiative before the international year. The GRC begins its operations at a moment when global attention is turning to the challenges women farmers face and the urgent need for more inclusive systems. By embedding gender responsiveness into our governance structures, the Cell will help address gaps in access, participation, and benefits, she said.

Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary to the Government of Odisha, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, said that the GRC will help us systematically apply a gender lens across planning, budgeting, service delivery, and monitoring. The GRC has been conceptualized as an innovative institutional mechanism embedded within DAFE, designed to strengthen gender equity across the full cycle of governance.

The Cell will also serve as an analytical hub, supporting policy assessments, gender-responsive budgeting, and data-driven decision-making, while creating frameworks that can be adapted across departments.
Dr. Shahidur Rashid, IFPRI’s South Asia Regional Director, reaffirmed IFPRI’s support for the State as a long-term technical and knowledge partner.

The inauguration brought together State officials, researchers, development partners, and civil society organizations to build an agricultural system that is equitable, climate-resilient, and future-ready. Representatives from Gates Foundation, officers from Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, FARD, W&CD attended the meeting.