The report highlights pathways for effective policy convergence to support India and other states in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) unveiled their latest report, Improving Policy Coherence in Food, Land, and Water Systems to Advance Sustainable Development in India: A Case Study of Odisha, during a high-profile launch event at India Habitat Center in Delhi. The report showcases how the Indian state of Odisha is pioneering policy coherence efforts to sustainably manage the interlinked systems of food, land, and water (FLW) and drive progress toward national and global sustainable development goals.
The event brought together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders to discuss the findings and recommendations from the study. The IWMI and CEEW study, supported by the CGIAR Initiative on National Policies and Strategies, looked at policies within FLW systems from 4 state departments. Four state policies plus five national policies were shortlisted as case studies for understanding policy coherence challenges and identifying best practices for the government to emulate. These include Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income (KALIA), Odisha Millet Mission (OMM), Odisha, Integrated Irrigation Project for Climate Resilient Agriculture (OIIPCRA), Canal Lining and System Rehabilitation Programme (CLSRP), Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Water Development Component-Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana 2.0 (WDC-PMKSY 2.0), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Mission for integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana-Per Drop More Crop (RKVY-PDMC).
The report highlights pathways for effective policy convergence to support India and other states in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. State-level initiatives like KALIA, OMM, OIIPCRA, and CLSRP demonstrate robust interdepartmental coordination, participatory planning, and local body involvement. For instance, OMM involves 21 departmental secretaries and various institutions, while OIIPCRA engages technical and support organizations to diversify production. CLSRP integrates pani panchayat members in participatory planning with water resource officials. Additionally, policies like MIDH and the Odisha Tribal Empowerment & Livelihoods Programme share a focus on empowering tribal communities by improving food security, incomes, and quality of life.