Bhubaneswar, Feb 16 (UNI) Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday emphasised on technological intervention in the farm sector.
The state government, Patnaik said, is focusing on technology-led development in the agriculture sector and urged the farmers to adopt new farm machinery and equipment in the farming process
to make Odisha a agriculture developed state.
Addressing the three-day ‘Krushi Odisha 2023’, organized jointly by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers and Empowerment and Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Patnaik while highlighted Odisha’s transition from being a food deficit state to a food surplus state said,
“We have been supplying rice to whole nation for public distribution system and our ‘KALIA scheme’ ensured income security for farmers and to increase agricultural productivity,” he said
Odisha has become a leading state in agriculture and apprised representatives of international agencies about the various programs of government for farmers’ empowerment, sustainability, intervention for mitigation of impact of climate change, nutritional value of food products and steps taken for enhancement of farmers’ income.
Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment minister Ranendra Pratap Swain said other than rice production, Odisha is near self-sufficient in fisheries, meat, eggs and milk production.
He further said the government has planned to take the agriculture Mela to block level in future and make it an annual event.
Farmers, he said, will benefit immensely from these programmes which will enable them to increase their income.
Stating that Odisha was the first state of India to achieve self-sufficiency in rice production decade back, Principal Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee claimed that the State has achieved significant progress in agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, Animal Resources Development, soil conservation and watershed management which leads to environmental and sustainable farming.

The state government, he said, now focuses on promotion of farm mechanisation, crop diversification, farm entrepreneurship, digital agriculture, livestock and fisheries.
It has also been decided to extend the millet mission programme to all 30 districts of the state,”
he added.
Dr Subroto Bagchi, Chairman, Odisha Skill Development Authority said Odisha needs 15 lakh farmers on mission mode and a strong coordination with various departments.

He said discussions are in advanced stages with the government to set up a world class skill development centre for farmers.”
The Chief Minister also inaugurated the special exhibition where farm machines, equipment, and modern farming techniques are on display.
On this occasion, 5 farmers and 5 SHGs who have achieved exemplary success and shown path
for others were awarded by dignitaries.
UNI DP BM