Bhubaneswar: The Rs 24,829 crore outlay in the Agriculture Budget for 2023-24 , from Rs 7,162 crore in 2013-14 financial year shows the State government’s political commitment towards agriculture and farmers , said Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain here today.
Addressing a presser to share the highlights of the Agriculture Budget, the Minister informed that apart from becoming self reliant in paddy production, Odisha has become a paddy surplus State.
Swain pointed out that as the State is dependent on pulses and oilseeds on other states, the State government is providing incentives for cultivation of cash crops through various schemes/programmes like Integrated Farming, Rice Fallow Management, Crop Diversification in mega lift area, etc.
This will not only be beneficial for farmers but also conserve water and at the same time is environment-friendly, Swain added.
The Minister said that the department has sufficient funds to immediately meet the need if there is additional requirement for funds in any scheme/programme.
“The state government has always stood with our farmer brothers and sisters and will do so in the future,” Swain reassured.
The Minister pointed out that under the Chief Minister’s visionary leadership and direction, the State apart from becoming a surplus state in paddy production has become nearly self-reliant in production of eggs, chicken, meat and vegetables.
“In fish production also we have become almost self-reliant. We no longer depend for fish trucks from other states. This has been possible due to the hard work of our farmers and state government’s various farmer- friendly programmes and activities. Additional provision has been made in the budget for agriculture, fisheries and animal husbandry in the existing schemes and new schemes,” Swain said.
He said that Millet Mission is now being implemented in 177 blocks in all the 30 districts.
Also, Potato Mission, Spices Mission, Jackfruit Mission, Pulses and Oilseeds Mission including oil palm are under implementation in the State, he added.
These schemes are being implemented in mission mode which will surely increase the income of farmers, he said.
“Money saved is money gained. If we can save a rupee of a poor farmer, it is a positive step. For the purpose the state government in addition to laying emphasis on farm mechanization has made a provision of Rs 388 crore in the budget. This apart a sizeable provision has been made under Mukhya Mantri Krushi Udyog Yojana. To make the message reach the people, regional district level agricultural implements fairs have been planned and are being organized. We are trying to empower our farmers so that farming is self-sustainable,” the Minister informed.
Several technologies like Go-SUGAM, SAFAL, Krushi Odisha, BioFlow for fish farming, etc are being used for the development of agriculture sector. Advanced technology has been used for direct transfer of subsidy to bank account of beneficiaries and other allied services. Monitoring and evaluation has become easier with the use of technology, the Minister pointed out.
The Minister informed that participation of women farmers in the aforementioned activities in the agricultural sector is more than 60 percent.
“As per the direction of the Chief Minister it is a conscious effort on our part for inclusion of more and more women farmers in agriculture by providing incentives,” he added.
Swain said a provision of Rs 100 crore per annum has been made for empowerment of women farmers.
Principal Secretary Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Arabinda Padhee and Principal Secretary Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Suresh Kumar Vashishth and other senior officers were present during the presser.
