Odisha wase severely affected by extreme flooding events in August 2026. Several hundreds of farmer households have been severely affected, resulting in submergence and crop losses, damage of houses and property, demonstration fields have remained submerged under floodwater for several days (8 days as on 25.08.2026), causing serious concern regarding crop survival and productivity.

As part of the project interventions, flood-tolerant rice varieties with sub-1 gene were upscaled in Rajkanika block to improve crop resilience under flood and prolonged waterlogging conditions. The details are as follows:

Measures Taken / Planned in the USPCALE project
1. Promotion of flood-tolerant rice varieties: Seeds of  Swarna Sub1, Hasanta Sub1, and CR Dhan 1009 Sub1 in Odisha were distributed already to farmers to survive flooding/submergence and prolonged waterlogging.  
2. Post-flood crop and nutrient management: UPSCALE project is taking measures to help farmers in post flood- crop management – replace seedlings where needed, fertilizer application to support crop recovery, tillering and subsequently to promote growth.
3. Field monitoring: The farmer led project demos are being regularly monitored using drone imageries and field level surveys to assess the flood situation, crop condition, and recovery potential as the water recedes. Efforts are ongoing to help farmers and extension agencies to provide other relief measures. 
4. Alternative livelihood activities: Due to the prolonged flooding, there is already damage to crops and disruption of regular agricultural activities. Hence, the project is taking initiatives to enhance training programs on alternative income generating activities possible in short term, before the next crop season.