Koraput: In a significant step towards empowering farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices, Principal Secretary of Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment (DA&FE), Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, along with Director of Horticulture, Rohit Lenka, paid a visit to the picturesque region of Kotia in Koraput district today.
Dr. Padhee and the Director of Horticulture, accompanied by Koraput Collector Abdaal M. Akhtar, local officials and public representatives, took a tour of the Gram Panchayat (GP) and witnessed the ongoing Kharif potato cultivation. They interacted with farmers, understanding their experiences, challenges, and successes in the agricultural domain.
During the engaging discussions with the farmers, Dr. Padhee highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting farmers and ensuring their economic well-being. He stressed the importance of implementing sustainable agricultural practices to safeguard the environment while enhancing productivity.
One of the key topics of discussion revolved around the expansion of the Agriculture Production Cluster (APC) in Kotia. Crop insurance emerged as another significant point of deliberation during the visit. In order to boost the agriculture sector and provide financial security to farmers in Odisha, the state government has decided to bear the crop insurance premium cost for the Kharif season 2023.
Furthermore, the delegation explored the possibilities of cultivating various crops to diversify agricultural practices in the region. The cultivation of ginger, turmeric, potato, coriander, yam, among others, emerged as potential avenues to boost farmers’ income.
The installation of a solar cold room at Kotia was also a subject of discussion. Dr. Padhee stressed that implementing solar-powered cold storage facilities could significantly reduce post-harvest losses and increase the shelf life of perishable produce, thereby benefiting both farmers and consumers.
Dr. Padhee expressed his gratitude to the farmers for their warm reception and insightful discussions. He reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to supporting the farming community and promoting sustainable agricultural practices for a greener and more prosperous future. The visit showcased the government’s dedication to engaging with farmers at the grassroots level.
