Village Knowledge Centre (VKC) in Chikarada in Ganjam district of Odisha was set up (June 6, 2019) as part of knowledge management and capacity building of the rural farming community under the RESILIENT Project, Norway in partnership with Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) and Chikarada Gram Panchayat in Ganjam district with M S Swaminathan Research Foundation as the implementing agency.

The services and activities of the VKC focus on realising the goal of the project- improve agricultural productivity, adaptive capacity and livelihoods of small land holders to climate and economic changes. This is enabled by building resilience and strengthening the agricultural product market values chains through knowledge management and capacity building of women and men from small land holdings and gender mainstreaming and gender analysis.

The VKC provides specific value added information and technology, addresses the training needs of the farmers, particularly for climate change by through digital technologies, non- ICT tools and building linkages with institutions to promote sustainable agriculture and improve their livelihoods.

Information related to animal husbandry, employment, education government services is disseminated. Services of the VKC, apart from Chikarada reach more than six neighbouring villages.

Involvement of community stakeholders is critical for the reach and sustainability of the VKC programme. In order to monitor the work of Knowledge Workers or managers and support in taking its services and activities to a larger village population, Village Management Committee [1](VMC) is formed in consultation with the villagers to create a sense of ownership.

The VMC is comprised of the boundary partner, Knowledge Worker, key individuals from the village including women, SHG leader, Anganwadi worker,  Panchayat raj institution member, staff from MSSRF and strategic partners such  as  the KVK scientist .MSSRF as an implementing agency takes earnest efforts to orient the VMC about their roles and responsibilities in managing the VKC and their relations with the various stake holders.

Coordination and commitment among the members is important for the sustainability of VKC, even after the project is phased out.

The activities of VKC are being carried out with the help of stakeholders. MSSRF facilitates linkages with line departments and other institutions in bringing benefits to the village. Farmers have learnt and practice different climate smart agriculture tehnologies through video based learning,audio conference, audio advisory, through helpline and by visiting VKC. Their participation in plant clinic sessions has further strengthened  their knowledge and is translated into action to a great extent.

Testimonials of farm women and men reveal clearly that gaining knowledge and adoption of climate smart agricultural practices/technologies (seed treatment, paddy and vegetable line transplanting method, drip cum poly mulching and so on) have contributed significantly in building their capacity and improving their livelihood.

They are able to prevent and manage pest and disease; there is reduction in input cost and increase in yield. There is knowledge enhancement on pests/diseases by 70 – 85%; there has been yield increase of 20 -o 35% and importantly the input cost has been reduced by 30 – 40%. More than 100 farmers including many women were inspired to adopt line transplanting method after 2021 covering an area of 123 acres.  A substantial numbers got an extra yield of three-four bags (75 kg per bag) of rice per acre.

Farmers including women listen to the audio advisories or voice SMS regularly. Weather advisory helps the famers in planning their agricultural operations. After listening to an audio advisory, a landless woman was encouraged to take cattle rearing as a livelihood option and in few cases youth have been motivated to undergo training to get employment.

VKC plays a significant role in providing   a platform for women to improve their capacity and skills. Access to knowledge and technology has made hitherto shy and timid farm women to become more confident and take informed decisions. They participate in meetings and training programmes. This has given them clarity in thinking and to articulate their views. They have been able to acquire capacity as a farmer and also a leader. They make use of government schemes/subsidies. Farm women are more connected with each other which help them learn from one another.

Online services available at the VKC help the villagers in getting their work – such as getting community certificate, land/house patta, paying electricity bill, to apply for various government schemes and so on -are done within their village. The VKC and the VMC play a significant role in reaching the

As upscaling of VKC programme and its sustainability, Farmers Producers Company (FPC) has been formed and registered as Smart Tech Farmers Producer Company Ltd, – Chikarada on August 23, 2021 through Resilience Project. The President of the VMC is also the Chairman of the FPO. All the 10 Directors are also members of VMC. Presently, the FPC consists of 203 members including 82 women.

The main objectives of the FPC are to reduce cost of cultivation, enhance collective bargaining power and income of farmers by leveraging the entire agricultural value chain. FPC aims to integrate the farm women and men with agricultural marketing system and offer remunerative prices with low transaction cost. Pulses such as black gram and aromatic rice seed material are procured and sold through the FPC. Farmers have been able to sell their vegetables directly to the trader in the market, instead of local vendors who offer less price than given in the market. The farmers get extra 20 -30 % profit by selling the product through the FPC.  FPC sells agricultural inputs (bought in bulk) such as seed material, bio and chemical fertilisers and other common inputs (also farm machinery) at subsidised rate. Timely access to the inputs saves farmers’ time, energy and reduces cost of cultivation.

VMC/FPC members coming from different walks of life and their coordinated efforts have been an important factor in the day today functioning of the VKC.  The Knowledge Workers have a good rapport with the village women and men. They are proactive in taking the benefits of government programmes/schemes to the village community and promoting climate smart technologies among farmers. They would also contact the strategic partners and get information related to the village. VKC/VMC contact and regular follow up has been another important factor for the proper functioning of the VKC. VMC provides necessary support to the Knowledge Workers. The Knowledge Workers are happy to share that their confidence level has increased and also enhanced their self-esteem. They have job satisfaction, though many a times the work is more demanding.

The VKC is central place of contact for the government departments, NGOs and other institutions in carrying out their community based programmes. It is said that 50 per cent of the work of Department of Agriculture or Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) is carried out through the VKC.

In spite of well-intentioned VMC, proactive Knowledge Workers and a very helpful role played by the MSSRF as a facilitator/implementing agency there are serious concerns that need to be looked into by all the stakeholders. How long MSSRF would be able to play a facilitator role and how it is going to pay the Knowledge Workers is a major concern that needs to be addressed.

Strengthening of FPC is crucial in taking the VKC programme further. The VKC programme has been going on reasonably well and the villagers are getting benefited and it is well acknowledged by the farmers.

Sustainability of the VKC is an important issue that needs to be given a serious thought.

FPOs can explore income-generating opportunities like offering computer classes and government exam coaching for students at nominal fees, making education accessible within the village. Additionally, online services could serve as another revenue stream if the VKC is equipped with computers, scanners, printers, and photocopying facilities. These initiatives can empower the community and boost local resources.