Bhubaneswar: The Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) celebrated its 63rd Foundation Day with a special event where Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi praised the institution’s remarkable contribution to the state’s agricultural development. Speaking at the ceremony, Majhi emphasized the vital role OUAT has played in Odisha’s transformation into a surplus rice-producing state through the development of 484 new crop varieties.
Inaugurating a new 1008-seater auditorium at the university, the Chief Minister highlighted that while self-sufficiency in rice production is a major achievement, the state must now focus on increasing production of oilseeds, vegetables, fish, eggs, fruits, and flowers. He expressed confidence that OUAT will be instrumental in these efforts, stating, “The role of Odisha Agricultural and Technical University is significant in making the state self-reliant in various sectors.”
Majhi urged OUAT scientists to focus on developing high-yielding seeds and acquiring new knowledge skills. He also drew attention to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to honor farmers, referring to Modi’s vision of making India a developed nation. He added, “Under the inspiration of Prime Minister Modi, the Odisha government has implemented multiple schemes to benefit farmers, including CM Kisan and PM Kisan, ensuring financial security for all farmers.”
Boost to Farmers with Samruddha Krushak Yojana
The Chief Minister hailed the state’s current agricultural budget as “epoch-making,” with a 36% increase to ₹33,919 crore. The budget includes the ‘Samruddha Krushak Yojana,’ which will ensure farmers receive ₹800 more per quintal for paddy sold under the scheme. Majhi stressed that farmers’ earnings would be credited to their bank accounts within 48 hours of the sale via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Additionally, efforts are underway to improve mandi infrastructure to facilitate the sale of agricultural produce.
New Initiatives and Support for Farmers
Majhi also announced the establishment of Krushi Samruddhi Kendras in every block to assist farmers, and shared details of a new scholarship program, “Krushi Vidyanidhi,” which will provide up to ₹2 lakh for the children of small and marginal farmers and agricultural laborers. The “Vasudha Kendra” scheme, which focuses on building grain shelters, rest areas, and warehouses in mandis, is also being implemented across the state, along with efforts to connect all mandis through the “E-NAM” platform.
The CM also spoke about the newly launched “Odisha Balabhadra Jaibik Chasa Mission,” a government initiative aimed at promoting organic and natural farming in the state. The “Sri Anna Yojana” is another scheme focused on transforming Odisha into a leader in millet production.
Majhi proudly noted that OUAT had developed the country’s first variety of Pillipesara, a leguminous fodder crop, which Prime Minister Modi dedicated to the nation earlier this month.
Path to a Self-Reliant Agricultural Sector
With the government planning to set up cold storage facilities in all 58 subdivisions of the state, Majhi revealed that a cold storage unit will be available in every block within the next five years. He expressed satisfaction with OUAT’s contributions to teaching and research in agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, and more, which are helping address the challenges faced by farmers across the state.
Majhi also called for special measures to enhance the skills and knowledge of marginalized communities involved in agriculture, stressing that OUAT’s efforts under the ‘Scheduled Tribes Sub-Plan and Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan Scheme’ should be expanded to benefit more individuals.
Future-Focused Agricultural Research
The Chief Minister urged OUAT’s agricultural scientists to continue their research efforts to resolve farmers’ challenges, ensuring the results of their work directly benefit the agricultural community. He emphasized that the University’s Chancellor should play a proactive role in this mission and requested the Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Bhagirath Choudhury to ensure the proper implementation of central government schemes in Odisha.
Encouraging Innovation and Start-ups
Congratulating OUAT’s students, Majhi encouraged them to explore self-employment opportunities through innovative start-up projects. He highlighted that the government is offering subsidies up to ₹1 crore under the Chief Minister’s Krushi Udyog Yojana and urged the students to use their knowledge to create innovative solutions for the agricultural sector.
Other dignitaries, including Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education Dr. Himanshu Pathak, and Principal Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, also spoke at the event. They praised OUAT as one of the country’s premier agricultural institutions and emphasized the need to focus on organic and market-friendly agriculture.