Sector-wise Challenges

Remote tribal areas suffer from a 30 to 45 percent deficit in healthcare facilities, which contributes to high maternal and infant mortality. In many villages, the absence of functional health centers compels people to depend on unqualified practitioners. Strengthening village health workers, establishing community health services, and adopting low-cost technologies like telemedicine can help improve healthcare outcomes. When local people are trained to deliver essential services, healthcare becomes more accessible and inclusive.

About 29 to 31 percent of children in Odisha are underweight, which is a serious concern for survival, learning, and productivity in later life. Malnutrition can be tackled through a combination of improved household nutrition practices, better functioning of Anganwadi centers, and community-managed nutrition gardens and kitchens. Active participation of parents and local groups ensures that food security and child nutrition are treated as shared responsibilities.

Almost 40 to 45 percent of tribal households lack secure land tenure. This prevents families from investing in their farms and restricts access to credit. Awareness about land rights, facilitation of land records, and sustainable use of forest land are essential steps in overcoming this barrier. Collective community action enables families to claim and manage their land more effectively, ensuring long-term livelihood security.

Between 85 and 90 percent of women in Odisha do not own land, even though they are the main cultivators in many households. The absence of ownership weakens their decision-making power and limits their access to government schemes. By promoting joint land titles, women-led producer groups, and leadership opportunities, communities can gradually correct this imbalance. When women are empowered through asset ownership, the benefits extend to the entire household.

Around 85 percent of youth in the state lack formal skill training, which leaves them dependent on casual labor and migration. Establishing local training hubs, linking young people with vocational programs, and promoting trades that are locally relevant such as agro-processing, crafts, and renewable energy can improve employability. Participation of the youth themselves in shaping these programs ensures that training is meaningful and linked to real opportunities.

Over 92 percent of farmers in Odisha own less than two hectares of land. Farming on such small and fragmented holdings is often uneconomic and unsustainable. By encouraging collective approaches such as farmer groups and cooperatives, farmers can share resources, adopt improved technologies, and gain better bargaining power in markets. Cooperation among small farmers helps make agriculture more viable.

Nearly 60 percent of the state’s agriculture remains rainfed, exposing farmers to the uncertainties of monsoon variability. Water scarcity during critical crop stages leads to frequent crop failures. Community-based water harvesting, watershed development, and adoption of climate-resilient crops are ways of reducing vulnerability. Local participation in managing water resources ensures sustainability and equitable distribution.

About 20 to 22 percent of villages still lack reliable all-weather connectivity, especially in hilly and forested areas. The absence of proper roads limits access to markets, education, and healthcare. Local participation in planning and demanding infrastructure ensures that such gaps are highlighted and addressed. When rural roads are prioritized, they open up opportunities for trade, services, and mobility.

There is a 60 to 70 percent gap in cold storage and rural market facilities in Odisha, forcing farmers to sell their produce quickly at distress prices. The creation of community-managed storage spaces, rural haats, and farmer-market linkages can reduce these losses. When farmers come together to manage storage and marketing, they gain the ability to hold produce, negotiate better prices, and secure their incomes.

About 40 to 45 percent of the state’s population is exposed to recurring disasters such as cyclones and floods. These disasters destroy homes, livelihoods, and infrastructure, pushing families back into poverty. Preparedness and resilience can be strengthened when communities are trained in disaster risk reduction, equipped with resilient housing techniques, and supported to diversify livelihoods. Local participation ensures quicker response and recovery when disasters strike.

On average, farmers lose 15 to 20 percent of their crops each year due to erratic rainfall, cyclones, and pest outbreaks. Adoption of crop insurance, resilient farming practices, and community-based farmer field schools are ways to minimize these losses. When such practices are adopted collectively, they spread faster and become more effective.

Around 25 to 30 percent of Odisha’s coastal regions are affected by erosion and salinity intrusion, leading to displacement and reduced farm productivity. Restoring mangroves, adopting salt-tolerant crops, and creating alternative livelihoods such as fisheries and eco-tourism can help communities adapt. Collective coastal management by local communities ensures that fragile ecosystems are preserved while livelihoods are protected.