Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday launched several people-oriented programmes on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya, which marks the commencement of agricultural activities before the onset of monsoon.
The agrarian festival of ‘Akshaya Tritiya’ is being celebrated across Odisha as per the age-old tradition on Sunday. The day is also performed as State-Level Farmers’ Day.
The Chief Minister visited the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) farm in Bhubaneswar and participated in the ‘Akhi Muthi Anukula’, the ceremonial act of sowing seeds in paddy fields and ploughing.
Naveen also greeted the people and wished a good harvest season and prosperity of farmers.
The Chief Minister then went to Lok Seva Bhawan and inaugurated Millet Shakti Cafe there. Realising the importance of Mandia and other millet food grains in tackling malnutrition, the state government has implemented the Millet Mission. So far 142 millet outlets have been opened in the state.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister also inaugurated an ‘Agricultural Review Centre’, which will function as a ‘central command and control system’ in the state agriculture building.
In the application of computer and information technology, it can help in decision-making by obtaining real-time information from the field level. The center will play an important role in the successful implementation of various schemes and support to the farmers.
Principal Secretary, Agriculture department, Arabinda Padhee briefed the Chief Minister about the activities of the center.
This apart, the Chief Minister also inaugurated a creche ‘Kalika’ for the children of the employees working in Lok Seva Bhavan. Currently, it can accommodate 20 children in the initial phase.
Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain, Women and Child Development Minister Basanti Hembram, Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena, Development Commissioner Anu Garg, Secretary Mission Shakti Sujatha Karthikeyan Pandian and Secretary for Women and Child Development Shubha Sharma were present at this event.
