A brainstorming workshop on “Reclamation and Management of Waterlogged Area for Enhancing Livelihood of Stakeholders in Delang Block of Puri District, Odisha” was organized by ICAR-IIWM, Bhubaneswar on 23.11.2024. Inaugurating the event as Chief Guest, Honourable Member of Parliament, Dr. Sambit Patra told that vast area of Delang Block of Puri district remain waterlogged during rainy season and causes crop loss. There is a need for integrated water management programme involving farmers, water resources department and agricultural scientists for livelihood improvement of the region. Honourable Member of Legislative Assembly of Pipli, Shri Ashrit Pattanayak acted as Guest of Honour and opined that the farmers of Delang block face this problem each year due to flood water of the rivers passing through the area. He urged upon the stakeholders to work for the permanent solution of the issue. Dr. A. Sarangi, Director of this Institute briefly appraised the participants regarding various technologies developed by this institute for waterlogged area to improve agriculture and livelihood of the farmers. The heads of ICAR institutes and their representatives such as ICAR-NRRI, ICAR-CIFA, ICAR-CIWA, ICAR-PDFMD, ICAR-CHES, ICAR-CTCRI Regional center, ICAR-IIPR Regional center, Scientists from OUAT, Head of KVK, Puri, Engineer in Chief & other officers from Water Resources Department, Govt. of Odisha, Executives of Pipli Sanskritika Parishad, Scientists of ICAR-IIWM, Progressive farmers and journalists of that area participated and put their views. Earlier, Dr. Patra planted a tree in the campus under “Ek Ped Maa ke Naam” and visited the technology demonstration park of the Institute. On this occasion a status report of waterlogged areas of Delang block and its possible remedies was released by the dignitaries. Scientists also made presentations regarding various dimensions of waterlogged areas and their possible reclamation. Dr. H.K. Das and Dr. S.K. Mishra coordinated the meeting and Dr. R.K. Panda proposed vote of thanks.
