Bhubaneswar: Odisha has officially launched the Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) in four districts—Kandhamal, Malkangiri, Sundargarh, and Nuapada—aimed at making farmers self-reliant through crop diversification and enhanced income. Alongside this, the state has inaugurated major fisheries infrastructure projects to strengthen the Blue Economy, including an integrated Aqua Park in Sambalpur and a modern wholesale fish market in Bhubaneswar.
The schemes were launched during a program held at the Krishi Shiksha Sadan of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), where Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi participated and expressed optimism about the positive impact these schemes will have on the farming community.
It is noteworthy that Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched these schemes in 100 districts across the country. In Odisha, the schemes have been implemented from today in four districts—Kandhamal, Malkangiri, Sundargarh, and Nuapada. Under this initiative, an annual expenditure of Rs 24,000 crore will be made over the next six years across India, benefiting 1.7 crore farmers.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for two major projects: a modern integrated Aqua Park in Basantpur village of Sambalpur, with an investment of Rs 100 crore, and a modern fish market in Pandara, Bhubaneswar, with an investment of around Rs 60 crore.
In his address, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi highlighted that agriculture and allied activities are not only the primary source of livelihood in Odisha but also across the nation.
“Agriculture and allied activities are the main sources of livelihood for more than 60% of Odisha’s population. With the launch of PMDDKY, farmers will have opportunities to diversify beyond paddy cultivation into pulses, oilseeds, and other high-value crops. This will lead to higher incomes and reduce Odisha’s dependence on imports of pulses and edible oils,” the Chief Minister said.
CM Majhi also stated that over the past 11 years, India has achieved self-reliance in many sectors. However, it is now imperative to attain self-sufficiency in major food crops, oilseeds, and pulses. Despite progress, India still relies on imports of pulses and edible oils. Reducing this dependency is crucial. Hence, the schemes launched today under the leadership of the Prime Minister are dedicated to creating self-reliant farmers.
CM Majhi further mentioned that since the government came to power, significant reforms have been undertaken in the agriculture and allied sectors. As part of this effort, the state government has allocated Rs 37,838 crore for the development of these sectors in the 2025–26 budget. The most prominent among these is the ‘Samrudh Krushak Yojana,’ under which farmers in Odisha are receiving Rs 3,100 per quintal, combining the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and input assistance.
At the state-level launch of the visionary farmer welfare initiative PMDDKY, the Chief Minister expressed his strong belief that the scheme would bring prosperity to farming families and enhance their income. He expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for selecting Odisha’s districts of Kandhamal, Malkangiri, Sundargarh, and Nuapada under the scheme.
He further assured that the state government is fully committed to its successful implementation. Through this initiative, farmers will diversify beyond paddy cultivation into pulses, oilseeds, and other high-value crops, thereby increasing their income.
The Wholesale Fish Market Project at Pandara in Bhubaneswar is another key development located in the heart of the capital. It will be constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with a total investment of Rs 59.13 crore—Rs 30 crore from the central government and Rs 29.13 crore from the state. Jointly implemented by the Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), the market will directly benefit 143 vendors and create indirect employment for over 2,000 people. It will serve the fish demand of both Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with BMC and the project is expected to be completed by November 2027.
Together, the Integrated Aqua Park and Wholesale Fish Market projects will create a value chain from production to processing and marketing, positioning Odisha as a leading state in India’s Blue Revolution.
The Chief Minister also stated that the initiatives launched by the Prime Minister mark a new chapter in transforming Odisha into an Aquaculture Hub in Eastern India.
The Modern Integrated Aqua Park at Hirakud, to be developed on 95.47 acres of government land, is a timely step toward promoting modern fish farming. It will greatly benefit the state’s fish farmers. The total investment is Rs 100 crore—Rs 60 crore from the Centre and Rs 40 crore from the state. This will be Eastern India’s first Aqua Park project, with completion expected by January 2027. The project aims to transform Sambalpur into a Centre of Excellence for Modern Aquaculture and significantly contribute to India’s Blue Revolution.
At the event, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo stated that while the country has already achieved self-reliance in paddy production, the time has come to focus on self-reliance in pulses and oilseeds. He emphasised the significance of the ‘Blue Economy,’ which he said will boost farmers’ incomes and empower them. He also encouraged the adoption of organic farming for building a healthier India.
Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan described the Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana and the Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses as landmark initiatives that will set a new benchmark for comprehensive agricultural development in Odisha.
While Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram joined the program virtually from Bisra in Sundargarh, the main event at Krishi Shiksha Sadan in Bhubaneswar was attended by Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Mayor Sulochana Das, OUAT Vice-Chancellor Dr. Pravat Kumar Roul, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Co-operation Department Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Khordha Collector Amrit Ruturaj, and BMC Commissioner Chanchal Rana.
During the program, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Agriculture Department, delivered the welcome address, while Fisheries Department Director Md. Sadique Alam proposed the vote of thanks.
