CSIR-IHBT Empowers Kusunpur Villagers Under CSIR “Smart Village” Mission

A scientific team from CSIR-IHBT, Palampur (HP) visited Kusunpur village in Kendrapara (Odisha) from February 8–10, 2026, under the CSIR Smart Village Mission Mode Project. This initiative, aligned with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of “Viksit Bharat”.
During the visit, the team engaged in extensive interaction with villagers, anganwadi workers, Gram Panchayat officials, Nature’s Club members, teachers and students to understand and identify strategic opportunities for technology deployment for improving livelihood opportunities. The visit featured technical lectures and exhibition-cum-demonstrations of CSIR-IHBT’s translational technologies. To kick-start local adoption, the team distributed high-quality flower seeds and nutritionally enriched products to the community. Deliberations revealed that commercial floriculture, dry flower technology, apiculture (beekeeping) and value addition of local bioresources could be the key to boost rural livelihoods. Furthermore, the team addressed public health by exploring interventions to combat malnutrition, especially in women and children. Comprehensive field and market surveys were also conducted to evaluate site suitability and feasibility for these initiatives. The program concluded with a practical demonstration of raised nursery bed preparation for local farmers. CSIR-IHBT extends its gratitude to the local administration and the people of Kusunpur for their exceptional cooperation and enthusiasm.