Agriculture Minister Rules Out Drought-Like Condition For Delayed Monsoon In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Agriculture Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain ruled out drought-like condition due to delayed monsoon in Odisha this year.

Speaking to media persons after attending a review meeting in Bhubaneswar on Saturday, the minister said though monsoon has been late this year, the state has received good amount of rainfall for the last two days. “As the IMD has forecast heavy rains for next 5 days, the farmers should not worry for Kharif crop,” he said.

At the meeting, Swain took stock of different schematic interventions, achievements and monitoring through digitised platform Krushi Samiksha Kendra (KSK). As the Kharif season is in full swing, he emphasised on timely supply of agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertiliser and others to the farmers.

Reviewing the rainfall status in the state, he suggested the field functionaries to be in readiness in case of dry spells. He also instructed to facilitate the credit facility in a time bound manner to expedite the agricultural operations in a more scientific and innovative ways.

Crop coverage of different districts, pre-positioning of inputs like seeds and fertiliser, area sown under NFSM (Rice), green manuring under Dhanicha cultivation, area coverage under potato, vegetables and spices and status of MGNREGS farm ponds were also reviewed.

It may be noted that the government launched digital platform Krushi Samiksha Kendra (KSK) in April to capture the real-time ground data and analyse those to extend science-based support system to make the agricultural operations more vigilant, accountable and transparent.

The review meeting was attended by principal secretary of the department, Director of Agriculture & FP, Director of Horticulture, Director of Soil Conservation & WD and senior officers of the directorates.