Odisha Chief Minister highlights tech-intervention in agriculture & allied sector; urges farmers to adopt new technology in farming
February 16, 2023
Odisha
ensures rice security of other states: Odisha Agriculture Minister
Krushi Odisha 2023 kick-starts; 5 farmers and 5 SHGs felicitated
BHUBANESWAR, 16
February 2023: Odisha
Chief Minister Mr Naveen Patnaik today said that the government is focusing
on technology-led development in agriculture sector. The Chief Minister
emphasised on technological intervention in farm sector and said that the
government is focusing on technology-led development in agriculture sector. He
urged farmers to adopt new farm machineries and equipment in farming process to
make Odisha agriculture developed state.
Addressing the three-day 'Krushi
Odisha 2023', organized by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers' Empowerment, Govt of Odisha, jointly with Federation of Indian Chamber
of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Mr Patnaik while highlighting Odisha's
transition from being a food deficit state to a food surplus state said, "We
have been supplying rice to whole nation for public distribution system. Our 'KALIA scheme' ensured income security for farmers and to increase agricultural
productivity our government continue to focus of farm mechanisation."
The Chief Minister added
that Odisha has become a leading state in agriculture and apprised
representative of international agencies about the various program of
government for farmers' empowerment, sustainability, intervention for mitigation
of impact of climate change, nutritional value of food products and steps taken
for enhancement of farmers' income.
Mr Ranendra Pratap
Swain, Minister
of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment, Govt of Odisha said that other than
rice production, Odisha is near self-sufficient in fisheries, meat, eggs and
milk production. "Hard work of farmers not only ensures food security of our
state but also we are sending surplus rice to other states to fulfil their
demands," he added.
He further shared the
plan to take the agriculture Mela to block level in future and make it an
annual event. "Farmers will get immensely benefited from these programmes which
will enable them to increase their income," Mr Swain stated.
Sharing that Odisha was
the first state of India to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production decade
back, Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary of Agriculture and
Famers Empowerment Department, Govt of Odisha opined that the State has
achieved significant progress in agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, Animal
Resources Development, soil conservation and watershed management which leads
to environmental and sustainable farming. "Government now focuses on promotion
of farm mechanisation, crop diversification, farm entrepreneurship, digital
agriculture, livestock and fisheries. We also have decided to extend millet
mission programme to all 30 districts of the state," he added.
Dr Subroto Bagchi,
Chairman, Odisha Skill Development Authority said, "In order to achieve the vision 2036, we need
set ambition to achieve five times more growth than current level. To achieve
this vision, we also have to know how much manpower and what quality of
manpower is required. Odisha need 15 lakh farmers on mission mode and a strong
coordination with various departments. Discussions are in advanced stage with
government to set up as world class skill development centre for farmers."
Mr Prem Chandra
Chaudhary, Director,
Agriculture and Food Production, Govt of Odisha said that based on the
directions by Hon'ble CM, the entire program has been designed in a manner so
that our farmers learn and implement new technology in farming.
The Chief Minister also
inaugurated the special exhibition where farm machines, equipments, modern
farming techniques are on display. Procurement is also part of the expo which
is open for visitors. Farmers can register themselves through Go Sugam Portal.
Special sessions for farmers are also planned as part of the event.
On this occasion, 5
farmers and 5 SHGs who have achieved exemplary success and shown path for
others were awarded by dignitaries. Awardee farmers and SHGs were - Agni
Gangamaa SHG (Koraput), Manashi SHG (Narla, Kalahandi), Maa Subhalaxmi SHG
(Jujumara, Sambalpur), Ujeleswar SHG (Sheragada, Ganjam), Dulanpur Producers
Organisation (Banki, Cuttack), Prafulla Kumar Khila (Semiliguda, Koraput),
Jaspal Sahu (Kalahandi), Shadasiba Bhoi (Kuchinda, Sambalpur), Desutu Bhagawan
(Hinjilikatu, Ganjam) and Subash Chandra Pal (Athagarh, Cuttack).
Total 212 numbers stall
have been set up on different categories of agriculture and allied sectors.
Various government undertaking, banks and agri entrepreneurs will participate
in it. FPOs, SHGs, NGOs and input dealers also participated. Farmers will know
about recent technologies through 10 thematic seminars.
Mr Satyabrata Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary-cum-
Agriculture Production Commissioner, Govt of Odisha; Mr Suresh Kumar
Vashishth, Commissioner cum Secretary, Fisheries and ARD Department, Govt
of Odisha; Ms Ingeborg Bayer, Counsellor-Food and Agriculture, Embassy
of Federal Republic of Germany, Ms Elisabeth Faure, Country Director,
WFP; Mr Ulac Demirag, Country Director, International Fund for
Agricultural Development and Mr Konda Reddy, Office incharge, United
Nations - Agriculture food Organisation were also present during the
event.