Bhubaneswar: Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, participated in the National Conference on Agriculture focused on Rabi crops, discussing strategies to bolster agricultural practices in the state. The conference, attended by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and various Agriculture Ministers from other states, provided a platform for collaborative dialogue on enhancing agricultural productivity.
During the conference, Singh Deo emphasized the need for financial support under the National Food Security Plan, proposing assistance for the cultivation of pulses and oilseed crops across 2.5 lakh hectares of paddy land in Odisha. He stressed that such initiatives are vital for promoting sustainable farming and improving food security.
In his address, Singh Deo called on the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare to increase the field performance expenditure per hectare for key crops, including sunflower, groundnuts, and for beekeeping practices. He argued that increased financial backing would incentivize farmers to diversify their crops and improve yields.
Additionally, the Deputy Chief Minister proposed the approval of an annual program plan worth ₹8.34 crore for the Agro-Forestry program, which is part of the National Development Plan aimed at enhancing the green cover and agricultural productivity in the state.
Recognizing Odisha’s vulnerability to natural disasters, Singh Deo advocated for the establishment of a research center dedicated to deep land agriculture in coastal regions. He also proposed setting up an agricultural machinery development, training, and testing center in western Odisha to foster innovation in agricultural mechanization.
The conference also saw participation from key officials, including Director of Horticulture, Nikhil Pawan Kalyan, and Director of Image, Odisha, Rajesh Das, who contributed to discussions on enhancing agricultural practices in the state.
Singh Deo’s proposals aim to not only improve the livelihoods of farmers in Odisha but also to strengthen the state’s agricultural framework, ensuring a resilient and sustainable approach to farming in the face of environmental challenges.
