The Odisha Government has launched the most needed GAINS (Generating Advances in Incomes and Nutrition through Sweet Potato) Phase II project in Odisha that will support resource poor households in four districts to achieve better nutrition and income through sweet potato.
The project is supported under RKVY scheme and is implemented by the International Potato Centre having its centre in Bhubaneswar.
The project was launched by Principal Secretary Agriculture Saurabh Garg in presence of Director of Finance of International Potato Center, Lima, Peru, Luis Felipe Mendes in Bhubaneswar.
The launching programme started in a unique way by watering a sweet potato plant by Dr Garg. The Government of Odisha and International Potato Center have joined hands to boost farmer’s income and to enhance nutrition in the communities of districts of Angul, Keonjhar, Rayagada and Gajapathi districts.
Project Manager of GAINS Phase II Dr Sreekanth Attaluri has said that the project will introduce new varieties of sweet potato, strengthen the seed system and improve the market linkages in Odisha. The project will cover 1,683 hectares in three years which will help thousands of farmers in the four districts.
The workshop discussed the potential uses of sweet potato for food, marketing of processed products, animal feed, medicinal and nutritional values that can improve health.
It was mentioned that the products like sweet potato flour, puree, chips, noodles and starch can be prepared with the help of interested processing sector entrepreneurs.
Success stories of GAINS Phase I was presented in the form of video during the workshop. The meeting was chaired by Director of Horticulture Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya.
Dr Upadhyaya summed up the entire programme to the audience present.