Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi stressed that proper water management is crucial for Odisha’s agricultural and economic growth, highlighting the Pani Panchayat system’s positive impact on farmers’ lives.
Speaking at the State-level Pani Panchayat Pakhya-2026, he announced plans to cover 15 lakh hectares of additional land under irrigation in the next five years through various projects.
With 40,380 Pani Panchayats actively irrigating 24.12 lakh hectares, Majhi emphasized equitable water distribution and women’s empowerment through the Odisha Pani Panchayat Act-2002. He cited projects like Khairibandhan Barrage and Upalantha Project, aiming to irrigate over 90% of cultivable land by 2036.
Majhi urged farmers to diversify crops and adopt climate-resilient practices, leveraging technology and partnerships, including an MoU with Xavier Institute of Management to boost Pani Panchayats’ capacity. A pilot project in Nuapada district showcases modern irrigation management.
Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo said that the government is planning to provide better marketing system to the farmers and export their produce abroad and give them better price. How to double the income of the farmers is the main objective of our government.
On this occasion, Additional Chief Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment Department Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary of Water Resources Department Subha Sharma, Engineer-in-Chief Sagar Mohanty were prominently present on the occasion.
