Bhubaneswar: Odisha has recorded zero cases of farmer suicides due to agricultural distress in the past year, Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo informed the State Assembly on Wednesday.
In a written response to a question by Bhawanipatna (SC) MLA Sagar Charan Das, the Minister said that no suicide cases linked to agricultural distress had been reported across the state during the period.
The Minister highlighted that the state government has implemented a range of proactive measures to support the farming community. These include crop insurance schemes, financial aid, awareness campaigns, and the dissemination of real-time weather updates via the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Krushi Samrudhi Helpline.
Crop management guidelines from the Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology (OUAT) have also been circulated widely through social media and agricultural officers to enhance farm-level decision-making.
In a major development, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Deputy Chief Minister Singh Deo held a review meeting on December 12, 2024, to assess the damage caused by unseasonal rainfall. Regular reviews are also being held to ensure the timely supply of seeds, fertilizers, and other essential inputs.
To protect farm incomes, the state is actively promoting the Krushi Rakshak Portal and helpline number 14447 for crop insurance claims. Under the Crop Insurance Scheme, Rs 45.67 crore has already been sanctioned to beneficiaries.
Additionally, Rs 291.58 crore has been released to various district Collectors through the State Relief Commission (SRC) as compensation for crop losses.
The government is also procuring paddy at Rs 3,100 per quintal and ragi at Rs 4,500 per quintal, both above the Minimum Support Price (MSP), inclusive of input cost assistance.
