Bhubaneswar: An integrated roadmap for agricultural development and farmers’ welfare in five eastern states — Odisha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and West Bengal — will be prepared following deliberations at the Eastern Regional Agriculture Conference-2026 held in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.
The conference focused on strengthening agriculture in eastern India through sustainable farming practices, infrastructure development, market linkages and inter-state cooperation.
Addressing the gathering, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi outlined a comprehensive vision for the socio-economic upliftment of farmers and highlighted several flagship initiatives of the state government.
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan praised Odisha’s agricultural performance, particularly its record paddy procurement during the current year.
Describing farmers as the “Annadata” of the nation, Chouhan said the fertile land, abundant water resources and favourable climate of eastern India would become a major driving force for agricultural growth in the coming years.
Emphasising sustainable agriculture amid evolving global challenges, the Union Minister called for prioritising natural farming and urged farmers to practice it on at least 20 per cent of their land holdings. He said reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers would help preserve soil fertility.
Chouhan also warned of strict action against those involved in the trade of spurious fertilisers and pesticides and announced that a new Pesticide Act would be introduced to safeguard farmers’ interests.
Chief Minister Majhi echoed the call for natural farming, stating that excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides was gradually making soil toxic.
He announced that organic rice from Odisha is now being used for preparing Mahaprasad of Jagannath, describing it as a matter of pride for the state. He also urged agricultural scientists to intensify research on promoting organic farming in eastern India.
Majhi said the state government has initiated special efforts at the block level for reviving traditional and forgotten food crops facing extinction.
Highlighting measures taken for farmers’ welfare, the Chief Minister said paddy was being procured at Rs 3,100 per quintal under the Samruddha Krushak Yojana, benefiting around 19 lakh farmers during the last Kharif season.
He said over 51 lakh farmers were receiving Rs 4,000 annually under the CM Kisan scheme, which, along with assistance under the PM Kisan scheme, ensured yearly support of Rs 10,000 to farmers.
Majhi further said the state government was implementing the Krushi Vidyanidhi Yojana to support higher education for farmers’ children and was bearing the entire premium share of farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
The Chief Minister said financial assistance was being provided for establishing cold storages in all 58 sub-divisions of the state, while subsidies of up to Rs 1 crore were being offered under the Mukhya Mantri Krushi Udyog Yojana to encourage agricultural investment.
He added that more than 1,800 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in Odisha had collectively conducted business worth Rs 126 crore over the last two years.
Majhi also highlighted the expansion of coffee cultivation across one lakh acres in six districts, including Koraput and Kalahandi, and stressed the need for stronger branding of Koraput coffee in global markets.
Stating that agricultural productivity in eastern India remained lower than many other parts of the country, the Chief Minister said the conference would provide an opportunity for participating states to exchange best practices and successful models.
He expressed hope that the roadmap emerging from the Bhubaneswar conference would help make eastern India self-reliant in agriculture and contribute significantly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Poorvoday” vision.
Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Bihar Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha and Chhattisgarh Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam were among those present at the conference.
Union Ministers of State for Agriculture Ram Nath Thakur and Bhagwat Chaudhary, West Bengal Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Minister Ashok Kirtania, Agriculture Ministry Secretary Atish Chandra and Department of Agricultural Research and Education Secretary Mangilal Jat also attended the event.
