Odisha records highest-ever rice production of 100 lakh MT: Minister

Bhubaneswar: Food grain production has increased from 55 lakh metric tonne in 2000-01 to 118 lakh metric tonne in 2016-17, courtesy various initiatives of the state government. The production of rice has also shown an upward trend, reaching a record level of 100 lakh metric tonne, the highest ever in Odisha, said agriculture and fisheries and animal resources development minister Damodar Rout at a press conference here on Tuesday.

While presenting his department’s report card, marking completion of three years of BJD government’s fourth term, the minister said, “To protect the interest of farmers, five members per family are being provided health insurance cover of Rs 1 lakh since 2013-14. Around 3,91,838 farmers have already availed health insurance worth Rs 195.45 crore.”

Highlighting the state’s achievements in milk production, he said the annual production has increased to 20.02 lakh metric tonne in 2016-2017 from 8.75 lakh metric tonne in 2000-01.

Besides, the state government has taken a number of initiatives to empower fishermen and fish farmers in the state, he added.