Bhubaneswar, 11.01.2026: The ten-day Sisir Saras–2026 has kicked off in the state capital, attracting visitors from all age groups. The fair not only serves as a vibrant marketplace for SHG products and rural enterprises but also focuses on capacity building and skill enhancement through a series of workshops organised for Self Help Groups (SHGs).On the second day of Sisir Saras, a workshop titled “Farm to Market: Coconut Farming in Coastal Odisha, Value Addition in Crops and Entrepreneurial Opportunities” was organized to promote coconut farming in the coastal districts of Odisha and to strengthen market linkages for farmers and producer groups. The workshop aimed to enhance farmers’ income not only through primary production but also through value addition, processing, packaging, branding, and marketing of coconut and other crops.Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), farmers, entrepreneurs, business managers, and members of the general public from various coastal districts actively participated in the programme.During the technical sessions, experts deliberated on key aspects of coconut cultivation suitable for coastal regions, appropriate processing technologies, development of value-added products, quality standards, packaging, and marketing strategies. Special emphasis was laid on pure coconut oil, coconut-based food products, coconut production, and other crop-based enterprises. Through this interactive and discussion-based workshop, participants gained practical knowledge on challenges faced from production to marketing under the “Farm to Market” approach, along with suitable solutions and emerging opportunities.The sessions also highlighted how women can generate sustainable income through their own initiatives by utilizing local natural resources. The workshop proved to be a valuable platform for promoting efficient agriculture and successful market creation at the rural level, giving a new dimension to livelihood generation and entrepreneurship in coastal Odisha.
