Odisha CM urges farmers to use more machines in agriculture

Sambalpur: Farm mechanisation is the need of the hour, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during the inauguration of Paschim Odisha Krushi Mela-2023, jointly organised by the Western Odisha Development Council (WODC) and Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment in association with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) here today.

In his video message, the Chief Minister said the state government is fully committed to the overall development of the farming community. The state government’s Kalia, Balarama scheme and Millet Mission are framed to achieve this very objective.

He also appreciated the effort of farmers and said due to their valuable contribution, Odisha has been conferred with several awards at the national level in the recent years.

On this occasion, Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment Ranendra Pratap Swain said Odisha has a focused approach towards agriculture. During the last 20 years, Odisha has achieved exemplary success in enhancing agricultural production.

“We are nearer to self-sufficient in fish, livestock and egg production. Food grain production has gone up from 55.35 lakh tonne in 2000-01 to 130.29 lakh tonne by 2020-21, an increase of 160 per cent. Similarly, oilseed production has increased by 58 per cent, pulses by 66 per cent and vegetable production increased by 67 per cent. Fish production has increased to 9.9 lakh tonne in last 20 years. Odisha is now fourth largest fish producer of the country,” Swain said.

The state government has implemented projects worth Rs 200 crore to mitigate the impact of flood in agricultural land. Western Odisha is the largest beneficiary of this program, He added.

Chairman of Western Odisha Development Council (WODC) Asit Kumar Tripathy said, “We have prepared a plan to organise Krushak Mela at different part of the state. As per the instruction of the Chief Minister, the first Mela was organised in Sambalpur. Agriculture sector contributes 20 per cent to our economy. More than half of our population depends on agriculture. The state government has committed to raise the income of farmers. Our farmers need to focus more on commercialisation and market linkage of their produce. They also need to embrace entrepreneurship. Many youths from farming community have shown interest to start business. The state government is giving 75 per cent subsidy on farm equipment.”

Prem Chandra Chaudhary, Director, Directorate of Agriculture and Food Production, Ananya Das, Collector & DM, Sambalpur, Kishore Chandra Nayak, MLA, Kuchinda, and Kumudini Nayak, Prsident ZP, Sambalpur among others were present on the occasion.

More than 100 indoor and outdoor stalls, comprising agri implants, millets, handlooms, handicrafts and live demonstrations of heavy machinery were the main attraction of the event.

Five progressive farmers from Western Odisha were felicitated for their exemplary work in agriculture and farming.

The Agriculture Minister today handed over keys of combine harvester, Tractor and ‘Mudhi’ making machine to the progressive farmers through direct benefit transfer (DBT) system.

The five-day seminar will have plenary sessions on Revitalizing Rice Based Cropping System, Enhancing farmer’s income through horticultural intervention, Climate Resilient Agriculture, Agri Export Promotion, Income Enhancement Through Fisheries activities, Income Enhancement Through Livestock Activities and Agribusiness – Flourishing Agri enterprises.