Bhubaneswar: Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment KV Singh Deo urged agricultural machinery manufacturers to establish local sales and repair centres. This would enable farmers to access immediate repair facilities, crucial for Odisha’s numerous small and micro-farmers.
At a meeting with manufacturers at Krushi Bhavan’s Auditorium, Deo emphasized the need for tailored machinery and localized sales/repair centres. The event drew participants from within and outside the state.
The annual Krushi Jantrapati Mela (agricultural machinery fair) will be held regionally in Berhampur, Balangir, Jaipur, and Keonjhar, Jeypore and also at district and sub-district levels.
Deo suggested supplying equipment to multiple farmers on a rental basis, promoting locally-built machines to benefit Odisha residents and farmers. The government provides necessary incentives.
Agriculture Department Principal Secretary Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee stressed zero tolerance for corruption, ensuring subsidies through DBT to eligible beneficiaries via online procedures.
Currently, agricultural electricity input is 2.76 kilowatts per hectare, while Odisha has set a target to take it to 4 KW per hectare by 2030, informed Padhee.
Director of Agriculture Prem Chandra Chaudhary and Chief Engineer Muktikant Mohapatra presented meeting details and application procedures.
