Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday inaugurated the three-day state annual agricultural festival ‘Krushi Odisha’ — Agriculture Odisha-2023 — at the Bermuda ground here.
Addressing the farmers present on the occasion, the Chief Minister laid emphasis on farm mechanisation and crop diversification and advised them to use new technologies and to grow more economic crops.
‘Krushi Odisha’ organised by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment will continue until February 18.
The Chief Minister said that technology is the basis of development. There is a great need for technology in the field of agriculture as well. He expressed happiness that this year’s fair focused on the use of new technology in the field of agriculture. He hoped that all the farmers would learn about the new technology, implement it and be successful in the field of agriculture and contribute significantly to the development of themselves and their state.
Naveen also said, “Development of agriculture and farmers is the most important programme of my government. Today, Odisha has become a leading state in the field of agriculture,” adding, “We have gone from being a food deficient state to being a surplus state in food grains and supplying rice to the public distribution system of the entire country.”
Expressing that the farmers have got job security through the Kalia Yojana, the Chief Minister said that efforts are being made to increase crop productivity by emphasising farm mechanisation. Through special missions such as Panas Mission, and Chathu Mission, importance is being given to farmers’ livelihood and nutrition security. “Our Millet Mission has attracted the attention of the entire country and the world today. It has also helped in increasing the income of our Mission Shakti Ma,” he said.
Welcoming the representatives of organizations like WFP, IFAD and FAO present at the ‘Agriculture Odisha’, the Chief Minister thanked them for their continuous cooperation in the field of agriculture.
On this occasion, Ranendra Pratap, Minister for Agriculture, said that under the direction of the Chief Minister, the Agriculture department has taken many innovative steps. He said that in the last two decades, Odisha has become self-sufficient in the production of fish, meat, eggs and milk and the income of farmers has also been increased by giving importance to agriculture-related programmes in increasing the income of farmers.
Odisha Skill Development Authority Chairman Subroto Bagchi and Additional Chief Administrative Secretary Anu Garg highlighted the major departmental programmes. Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment Development Principal Secretary Dr Arvind Padhi delivered the welcome address and Director Premchand Choudhury presented the vote of thanks.
