Explore Possibilities, Focus On Agri-Business & Agro-Enterprises In Odisha: Asit Tripathy

Bhubaneswar: Principal Advisor to Chief Minister and Chairman Western Odisha Development Council (WODC) Asit Tripathy on Tuesday asked the agriculture officers to come out of the “silos of implementing Governmental programmes only and explore possibilities available in this large sector”.

Tripathy directed the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment department to focus on agri-business and agro-enterprises.

At a review meeting in Krushi Bhawan here on Tuesday,  he stressed on agro-enterprise with market linkage and said this will bring real transformation in the rural sector while making it more rewarding and attractive for youths.

He said “each district has its own potential. Because of the supportive business climate and promising returns, many private entrepreneurs have entered in to agro-enterprise in the districts under WODC. They need handholding support.”

He directed that the field level officers be oriented to be in touch with such private entrepreneurs and support them as per their requirement.

Additional Chief Secretary and Production Commissioner Raj Kumar Sharma highlighted the need to build infrastructural support for the promotion of agriculture and allied sector.

Tripathy also directed the officers “to work with winners in private sector” so that others could be motivated to take up similar ventures.

Principal Secretary Saurabh Garg said, “A progressive State Agriculture Policy is in operation from January 2020. A comprehensive approach comprising the themes like agri-business, warehousing, farm level basic processing unit, promotion of farmer producer organization, agriculture marketing intelligence, procurement of oilseeds, skill training for value addition, linking farmer with trading organisations is being followed under the policy.”

Garg added, around 61.80 lakh hectare land is under cultivation out of which around 13.60 lakh hectare is under horticultural crops. Presently, 34 sea food processing units, 36 lemon grass extraction unit and 16 cashew processing units are operating in the State. Potential agro-and food processing cultures have been identified. ‘One district and one product’ list has also been prepared for development of food processing units and marketing support, he added.

Among others, Director Agriculture Muthu Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary and APC RK Sharma, Secretary Fisheries and Animal Resource Development Raghu G and officers from NABARD, APICOL, Agricultural Marketing Organisation attended the meeting.