Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reviewed the achievements of the major projects of Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment at the Lokaseva Bhawan on Thursday.
Addressing a press conference in this regard on Friday, Agriculture Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain said,“With agriculture being the primary source of livelihood for the majority of the population in Odisha, the state government has prioritized agricultural development to enhance farmers’ income and well-being. Through inclusive policies, dedicated budget allocation, and substantial investments in the sector, the state has reached remarkable milestones, solidifying its position as a leader in agricultural progress.”
One of the most notable achievements is the transformation of Odisha from a food grain deficit state to a surplus state. The state’s contribution to the paddy procurement pool of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) now ranks fourth nationwide. In the year 2022-23, food grain production reached a record 136.07 lakh metric tons, more than doubling the production from 55.35 lakh metric tons in 2000-01.
Similar progress has been witnessed in vegetable production, with Odisha recording a significant increase. During 2022-23, vegetable production reached an all-time high of 98.52 lakh metric tons, nearly three times the production of 33.37 lakh metric tons in 2000-01. These achievements are particularly commendable considering the frequent occurrence of natural calamities in the state, highlighting the resilience of the agricultural sector.
The Odisha Millet Mission, launched in 2017-18, has played a crucial role in achieving nutritional security and supporting the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers in rainfed areas.
Principal Secretary Arvind Kumar Padhee said, “The Department is giving emphasis on reviving millets in the farms and plates through Odisha Millets Mission. The Mission spread over 142 blocks in 19 districts is to be extended to 177 blocks in 30 districts.”
The mission focuses on reviving the cultivation of millets, with Odisha being the only state that currently procures Finger millet on minimum support price (MSP). Recognizing its success, NITI Aayog, the Government of India, has recommended other states to adopt a similar model. Additionally, international organizations like UN-IFAD and UN-FAO have supported the framework of the Odisha Millet Mission as suitable for promoting agroecological initiatives. In a significant move, the Odisha government declared November 10th as Mandia Divas (Millet Day), becoming the first state to dedicate a specific day to celebrate the importance of millets.
To further empower farmers, the state government introduced the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme in 2018. KALIA aims to provide support to small and marginal farmers for cultivation and non-farm activities, along with livelihood support for landless agricultural households. This scheme is considered the country’s first Universal Basic Income (UBI) scheme and has benefitted 43.04 lakh small and marginal farmers, 18.72 lakh landless agricultural households, and 1624 students to date.Financial assistance of more than Rs 11,600 crore have been extended for the purpose.
Recognizing the significance of mechanization in agricultural development, Odisha has organized Farm Mechanisation Melas in every district. These events have facilitated the popularization of various farm machinery and equipment worth Rs 900 crores. The state government has increased the assistance to individual farmers and women self-help groups (WSHGs) to promote the adoption of farm machinery, resulting in a substantial increase in farm power availability from 0.61 kW/ha in 2000-01 to 2.23 kW/ha in 2021-22. The government aims to further enhance this to 2.5 kW/ha in the next two years and has planned to organize Farm Mechanisation Melas at the sub-divisional level.Odisha has embraced digitization in agriculture, leveraging information and communication technology (ICT) to benefit farmers.
The Krushak Odisha database has been established to reach every farmer in the state, facilitating online input delivery and monitoring mechanisms with incentives provided through direct benefit transfer (DBT). The state has also launched Simplified Application for Agricultural Loans (SAFAL), a single-window platform that offers 300-plus loan products from more than 40 nationalized and private sector banks. Additionally, the Go-SUGAM portal serves as a centralized platform for all benefits and activities related to agricultural development.
The state introduced Ama Krushi, a two-way Interactive Voice Response (IVR) service, and established a dedicated call center to address farmers’ queries. These initiatives have onboarded over 54.47 lakh farmers and delivered more than 65.31 crore crop advisories.
To monitor the progress of developmental interventions and enhance implementation, Odisha established the Krushi Samikhya Kendra at the state level. This center ensures real-time monitoring and feedback from field functionaries, making the implementation process more effective.
Centre of Excellence on School of Genomics and Bio-informatics, School of Precision Agriculture and Regenerative Agriculture is being established in Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology (OUAT) with a budget provision of Rs.65.00 crore. This will strengthen frontier research in the crop improvement. Additionally, five hostels, five academic blocks, ten laboratories and two auditoriums have been constructed/renovated facilitating students’ amenities and academic activities with an expenditure of Rs. 727.00 crore. This is the highest ever infrastructural development activity of the second oldest Agricultural University of India.
The remarkable achievements of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment in Odisha have garnered national recognition. The state has been awarded the prestigious “Krishi Karman” Award five times for higher food grain production. Furthermore, it has been honored as the “Best Millet Promoting State” under the “PoshakAnaj Award” by ICAR-IIMR and FAO in both 2020-21 and 2021-22. The Odisha State Cashew Development Corporation has also received multiple awards for its exceptional work in the cashew sector.
In acknowledgment of its innovative and popular policies that have transformed agriculture and improved the lives of millions of farmers, the state of Odisha received the Agriculture Leadership Award in 2022.
The significant milestones achieved by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment in Odisha reflect the state government’s commitment to agricultural development and the empowerment of farmers. With a focus on sustainability, resilience, and technological advancement, Odisha has emerged as a role model for other states in India and has set a strong foundation for the future growth of the agricultural sector.
