New Delhi/Bhubaneswar, October 24: The Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) has won the BIRC Global Excellence Award 2026 for its visionary leadership in rural enterprise and market access, and outstanding contribution to the global rice industry.

ORMAS CEO Dr Monica Priyadarshini received the award from actor Sonu Sood. The recognition marks a proud milestone for Odisha’s agricultural heritage, its rural producers and the ORMAS team.

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Congratulating the ORMAS team, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik said, “This award is a recognition of the ORMAS team’s commitment and hard work. We will continue to expand market opportunities for rural producers, take their products to national and international markets, and strengthen rural enterprises.”

ORMAS, under the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, has been working to connect farmers and rural producer groups with wider markets, helping them improve product presentation, branding and value addition.

At the Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, ORMAS is showcasing 15 traditional rice varieties and products from eight districts of Odisha. The initiative brings together 85 Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), representing 3,695 members, to promote the state’s indigenous rice varieties and open up new market opportunities for rural producers.