A total 52 adopted farmers of ICAR-IIWM, Bhubaneswar participated in farmers' fair organized by National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack on the occasion of the auspicious agricultural festival of eastern India, 'Akshaya Tritiya' on 9th May, 2016. Sri Radha Mohan Singhji, Hon'ble Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare graced the occasion as Chief Guest. He has also inaugurated an exhibition showcasing frontier agricultural technologies from various ICAR institutes, OUAT and KVK's and appraised the farmers and state line departments on various flagship programmes of the Central Government like Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY), Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Soil Health Card Scheme, Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana etc. Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon'ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shri Bhartruhari Mahatab, Hon'ble Member of Parliament (Loksabha), Cuttack, Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR), New Delhi, Shri Chhabilendra Roul, Addl. Secretary (DARE) & Secretary (ICAR), New Delhi, Prof.(Dr.) S.N. Pasupalak, Vice Chancellor, OUAT, Bhubaneswar and Dr. Anupam Mishra, Director, ATARI, Zone VII, Jabalpur were also present on the occasion.

Shri Ramchandra Raut of Parbatiya village of Dhenkanal district, Odisha, an adopted farmer of ICAR-IIWM, Bhubaneswar received Appreciation Certificate from Sri Radha Mohan Singhji for adopting 'Drip fertigation in vegetable crops' under National Innovations for Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) Project. The technology adoption has helped the farmer to develop climate resilient agriculture besides enhancing productivity and net income from mere Rs. 10,000/ha to Rs. 2.5 lakh/ha in a having light textured lateritic soil field.