Bhubaneswar, 17 th February, 2023: Shri Ashok Chandra Panda, Minister, Science & Technology,
Public Enterprises, Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disability, Govt of Odisha said
that the Food Corporation of India (FCI) need to step up its effort to procure more paddy from
Odisha so that daily meals for our countrymen can be ensured. Speaking at the second day of 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
Panda opined that demands have been raised across state to lift paddy from Mandis. To enhance
the paddy procurement process close coordination between Centre and State government in
necessary.
Citing that Odisha is moving towards instant irrigation, the minister shared, “Three barrages are
being developed behind Hi-tech, Balianta and Dhauli of Bhubaneswar which will help farmers living
in outskirt of capital region. Horticulture, Floriculture & allied aspects will get huge boost from these
projects.”
Mr Sanjeev Kumar Chadha, Principal Secretary, Department of Cooperationsaid that area under
paddy cultivation in Odisha is near about 35 lakh hectares. “We are self-sufficient in paddy
production. To increase the income level of farmers we need to adopt cash crop cultivation & crop
diversification process. Cash crop is another focus area for government. In order to support farmers,
we are working on a plan to set up cold storage in every horticulture cluster of the state in next six
months,” added Mr Chadha.
Dr Pravat Kumar Roul, VC, OUAT, Bhubaneswar said, “Technological intervention in farming has
helped our farmer to raise production and income level.”Dr Roul further called for more farm
mechanisation & entrepreneurship development in the state.
Asserting that a majority of farm labourers are women, BMC Mayor Ms Sulochana Das said, “We
need to empower our women through various technology. We need to make our farming climate
resilient. Government is making efforts to engage more women in the various field of agriculture.”
Director of Horticulture Mr Rohit Kumar Lenka, Director of Soil Conservation& WD Mr Hemant
Kumar Panda were also present at the dias.
During the event, 60 farmers across the state were awarded at second day of Krushi Odisha for their
exemplary work in the field of agriculture & allied sectors.
