CM Majhi Reaffirms Commitment to Farmers at Krushak Shakti Samabesh in Balangir

Balangir: Marking one year of the BJP government’s tenure in Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday addressed a massive farmers’ gathering at the Krushak Shakti Samabesh in Balangir district. The event served as a platform to showcase the state government’s renewed commitment to farmer empowerment through robust support in technology, infrastructure, and financial schemes.

Majhi emphasized that his government is striving to ensure that the toil of every farmer is recognized and rewarded. “Our promise was to give fair value to the hard work of farmers, and we are translating that promise into action,” he said.

Calling Balangir a key pillar of the state’s progress, the Chief Minister noted that the presence of two ministers from the district adds momentum to development. “It is not just a double-engine government, but a triple-engine one for Balangir, promising triple the speed of growth,” he remarked.

Highlighting Odisha’s agrarian identity, Majhi pointed out that more than 60 percent of the population depends on agriculture and allied sectors. He shared that over 78,000 farm machines have already been distributed, and ₹459.68 crore has been transferred to farmers’ accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) by May 2025.

He linked the government’s initiatives with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of honoring farmers as Annadata. “We have set a target to provide irrigation to 15 lakh hectares of non-irrigated land over the next five years,” he announced.

The Chief Minister elaborated on flagship schemes like the CM Kisan Yojana, which provides ₹4,000 annually to each farmer, including urban cultivators. On Akshaya Tritiya, ₹1,025 crore was credited to the accounts of over 50 lakh small and marginal farmers, including those from Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and urban areas.

To strengthen financial support, Majhi revealed plans to integrate the CM Kisan Yojana with the central PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. He also spoke of educational initiatives like the Krushi Vidya Nidhi Yojana for farmers’ children and the promotion of organic farming under the Balabhadra Jaivik Chasa Mission.

Focusing on traditional grains, he highlighted the Shree Anna Abhiyan, through which mandia millet ladoos are being distributed to students from nursery to Class 10 in government schools, promoting both health and heritage.

The government will also establish an agricultural college in Balangir and a fisheries college in Sonepur to boost regional expertise and training in the agri-allied sector.

“Our vision is a prosperous Odisha by 2036, which aligns with the national goal of a developed India by 2047. Agriculture will be the foundation of this journey,” Majhi asserted.

Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo emphasized increased budgetary focus on agriculture and cited Odisha’s growing fruit exports as a sign of success. Health Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling spoke on the health benefits of local produce, while Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik called agriculture the “backbone of Odisha’s economy.”

Successful farmers were felicitated during the event and encouraged to adopt modern practices to enhance productivity. Among those present were Bargarh MP Pradeep Purohit, Titilagarh MLA Nabin Kumar Jain, Kantabanji MLA Laxman Bag, and Northern Region Revenue Commissioner Sachin Ramachandra Yadav.