Sambalpur: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has called upon the farmers to adopt mechanised farming to give a boost to agriculture produce of the state and improve their economic condition.
In a video message at the inaugural function of Paschim Odisha Krushi Mela 2023, the chief minister assured the farmers of the government’s commitment to development of the farming community. The government’s Kalia, Balarama scheme, and Millet Mission have been framed to achieve this very objective. He also appreciated the effort of farmers and said that due to their valuable contribution, Odisha has been conferred with many awards nationally at regular intervals.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment Ranendra Pratap Swain said the state has achieved exemplary success in production enhancement in the last 20 years. “We are nearer to self-sufficient in fish, livestock and egg production. Food grain production has increased from 55.35 lakh ton in 2000-01 to 130.29 lakh tonne by 2020-21. Similarly, oilseed production has gone up by 58%, pulses 66% and vegetable 67%. Fish production has increased to 9.9 lakh ton in last 20 years,” he said.
Chairman of Western Odisha Development Council (WODC) Asit Kumar Tripathy said, “We have planned to organise Krushak Mela in different parts of the state. As per the instruction of the Chief Minister, the first mela is held in Sambalpur.”
“Our farmers need to focus more commercialisation and market linkage of their products. They also need to embrace entrepreneurship. Many youths of farming community have shown interest to start business. Government is giving 75% subsidy on machines,” he added.
More than 100 indoor and outdoor stalls have been opened at the Mela which is jointly organised by WODC and Agriculture and Farmer Empowerment department in association with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Seminars on agriculture-related issues will be held for 5 days during the Mela.
Among others, Prem Chandra Chaudhary, Director, Agriculture and Food Production; Ananya Das, Sambalpur collector; Kishore Chandra Nayak, Kuchinda MLA; Kumudini Nayak, Sambalpur ZP president were present at the inaugural function.
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