Agency for Social Action

About Us

Agency for Social Action

Agency for Social Action empowers marginalized communities in Odisha through sustainable farming, women's empowerment, and resilience building, fostering long-term social and economic development.

Agency for Social Action (ASA) is an Odisha-based not-for-profit civil society organization dedicated to uplifting unprivileged and underprivileged communities, particularly among the tribal, migrant, and marginalized Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste populations in the KBK region and disaster-prone areas of Odisha. For over 32 years, ASA has championed sustainable development through the promotion of millet cultivation, integrated farming, crop diversity, and livelihood enhancement for small and marginal farmers. With a strong focus on women’s empowerment, food security, and disaster risk management, ASA works in partnership with grassroots organizations, women’s self-help groups, farmers’ groups, and local institutions across more than 345 villages. Our mission is to foster social and economic transformation by reviving traditional farming practices, encouraging organic methods, and enabling …

Learn More

Our focus area

Events

View all

Field Day

ASA organized a Field Day Program to showcase improved agricultural practices and technologies directly in farmers’ fields. The program provided a platform for farmers to observe crop demonstrations, share experiences, and learn about sustainable farming methods. Such initiatives encourage wider adoption of best practices, helping improve productivity, income, and resilience among farming communities.

03 Apr, 2024

Project on Rice Fallow Management

ASA (Agency for Social Action), in partnership with the World Vegetable Centre (WorldVeg), implemented the Comprehensive Project on Rice Fallow Management in Saintala block of Bolangir district under the guidance of IRRI and the Agriculture Department. Covering 1,690 hectares with green gram (950 ha), black gram (500 ha), and Bengal gram (240 ha), the project promotes short-duration, low-water crops in rice fallow areas. This initiative helps restore soil health, enhance farmer livelihoods, ensure nutritional security, and promote sustainable agriculture.

Community-Based Disaster Preparedness Initiative

ASA, in collaboration with OSDMA and the District Disaster Management Committee, Puri, has been working in cyclone-prone Kakatpur since 2000 to strengthen Village Disaster Management Committees. Through community meetings, training, and preparedness plans, we empower local communities to manage cyclone shelters, respond quickly to emergencies, and reduce disaster risks. Over the years, this initiative has built resilience, saved lives, and promoted a culture of preparedness.

Horticulture

ASA organized a One-Day Gram Panchayat Level Non-Residential Training on drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, water management, and rainwater harvesting structures. The training aimed to build awareness among farmers about efficient water use, modern irrigation techniques, and sustainable practices in horticulture. By adopting these methods, farmers can enhance productivity, conserve water resources, and ensure long-term agricultural sustainability.

Programs

View all

Special Program for Promotion of Millets in Tribal Areas

The Odisha Millet Mission is being implemented in Muribahal and Saintala blocks of Bolangir district since 2018 by AGENCY FOR SOCIAL ACTION (ASA) in collaboration with ATMA & WASSAN, with support from the Government of Odisha. The program aims to revive millet cultivation in tribal areas, enhance nutritional security, and improve farmer livelihoods.
Covering 12 Gram Panchayats and 78 villages, the programme has reached 1,754 farmers across 745 hectares of land. Farmers are encouraged to adopt traditional hardy millet seeds and are trained in improved agronomic practices such as System of Millet Intensification (SMI), Line Sowing, and Line Transplanting. Alongside, they are also oriented towards organic composting and bio-inputs to promote sustainable agriculture.
Through this initiative, millet consumption has increased in nearly 6,000 households, while awareness campaigns, food festivals, and the celebration of Mandia Dibas have helped in reviving millet food culture in both rural and urban areas. To strengthen the seed system, one main Community Managed Seed Centre and four sub-centres have been established, ensuring year-round seed availability. Additionally, four Custom Hiring Centres now provide farm equipment to small and marginal farmers at affordable rates.
Market linkages have also been strengthened through Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), which act as Nodal Procurement Agencies. In the Kharif Marketing Season 2022-23, over 4,284 quintals of Ragi were procured from local farmers and sold to TDCC. These efforts have boosted farmer incomes and promoted millet-based enterprises.
The program continues to play a vital role in securing nutrition, conserving traditional crops, and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for tribal farming communities in Odisha.

Millet Farmer Producer Company Limited

The ASA Millet Farmer Producer Company Limited, promoted by Agency for Social Action (ASA) and supported by ATMA, Government of Odisha, is a registered Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) under the scheme “Promotion of Millets in the Tribal Areas of Odisha.” Headquartered in Bolangir district, the company brings together 510 shareholders from 73 villages with a focus on millet cultivation, processing, and marketing.
The FPO works on finger millet, foxtail millet, little millet, pearl millet, koda millet, and pulses. It provides farmers with access to training, modern machinery, value addition, storage, and market linkages. The organization also promotes organic farming, crop diversification, and livestock development.
With strong support from the Odisha Millet Mission, the FPO has expanded its operations to multiple blocks in the district. It has established linkages with local markets, cooperatives, and traders, and plans to build its own brand with eco-friendly packaging. Through collective effort, the company continues to empower farmers, improve livelihoods, and strengthen sustainable agriculture in the region.

Special Program for Promotion of Integrated Farming (SPPIF)

The Government of Odisha launched the Special Program for Promotion of Integrated Farming (SPPIF) in 2021-22 in Muribahal block of Balangir district. The program covers around 250 hectares in Gram Panchayats and supports nearly 600 farmer families through a cluster approach. It integrates agriculture, horticulture, livestock, fisheries, and agroforestry with the aim of promoting improved farming practices, crop diversification, soil health management, and efficient use of natural resources. The program also focuses on strengthening farmer incomes through enterprises, value chain support, and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
For implementation, Agency for Social Action (ASA) was selected as the Facilitating Agency and ASA Millet Farmer Producer Company Ltd. as the Block Implementing Agency. With support from community resource persons and farmer groups, activities such as village resource mapping, farmer surveys, exposure visits, and regular trainings are being conducted. These trainings cover seed production, vegetable cultivation, livestock vaccination, fishery management, and improved irrigation practices, helping farmers adopt sustainable methods and improve their livelihoods.

Disaster Mitigation and Disaster Preparedness

Agency for Social Action (ASA) has been actively working on Community Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) in collaboration with the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) and the Disaster Management Committee – Puri. Since 2000, following its rehabilitation work among the 1999 Super Cyclone-affected people, ASA has focused on preparing communities in Kakatpur for effective disaster management, especially in managing cyclone shelters and responding quickly during emergencies. The programme strengthens District and Satellite Disaster Management Committees through capacity building, planning, and community engagement. Communities are trained to create disaster preparedness plans, establish local warning systems, and develop neighbourhood directories for quick communication. Special attention is given to elders, children, people with disabilities, and families with pets. Members with skills in first aid, medical care, or rescue are encouraged to support the community during emergencies.
ASA also helps communities in property protection, evacuation planning, and identifying safe local shelters. Families are guided to prepare household emergency plans, maintain disaster supply kits, and participate in community-level preparedness. Mock drills, first aid training, and search & rescue exercises are conducted regularly to keep communitie

0 The number of farmers benefited from farming activities

But we're not done yet. We need you

Become a volunteer

Make a Change

Account Number - XXXXXX
Bank -
Branch -
IFSC Code -

All donations are eligible for tax savings under 80G.

About Us