Bhubaneswar: A comprehensive roadmap aimed at accelerating agricultural growth and improving farmers’ welfare across five eastern states will be prepared following discussions at the Eastern Regional Agriculture Conference-2026 held in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.
The conference brought together representatives from Odisha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and West Bengal to deliberate on strategies for strengthening agriculture in eastern India through sustainable farming, improved infrastructure, enhanced market access and inter-state cooperation.
Addressing the conference, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi highlighted the state government’s initiatives for farmers’ welfare and called for greater emphasis on natural and organic farming practices.
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan lauded Odisha’s agricultural achievements, particularly its record paddy procurement this year, and described eastern India as a future growth engine for the country’s agriculture sector due to its fertile land, abundant water resources and favourable climate.
Emphasising the need for sustainable agriculture, Chouhan urged farmers to adopt natural farming on at least 20 per cent of their land holdings to reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers and preserve soil health. He also warned of strict action against those involved in the sale of spurious fertilisers and pesticides and announced that a new Pesticide Act would soon be introduced to protect farmers’ interests.
Chief Minister Majhi echoed the concerns over excessive use of chemicals in agriculture, stating that indiscriminate use of fertilisers and pesticides was gradually damaging soil quality. He said Odisha’s organic rice is now being used in the preparation of Mahaprasad at the Jagannath Temple, calling it a proud moment for the state.
Majhi also urged agricultural scientists to intensify research and innovation in organic farming practices suited to eastern India. He informed that the state government has initiated efforts at the block level to revive traditional and indigenous food crops that are gradually disappearing.
Highlighting the state’s farmer welfare measures, the Chief Minister said paddy procurement at Rs 3,100 per quintal under the Samruddha Krushak Yojana had benefited nearly 19 lakh farmers during the last Kharif season.
He further stated that more than 51 lakh farmers are receiving annual assistance of Rs 4,000 under the CM Kisan scheme, which, combined with support under the PM Kisan scheme, ensures financial assistance of Rs 10,000 annually to eligible farmers.
Majhi said Odisha is also implementing the Krushi Vidyanidhi Yojana to support higher education for farmers’ children and is bearing the entire premium contribution of farmers under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
The Chief Minister informed that financial assistance is being provided for establishment of cold storage facilities in all 58 sub-divisions of the state, while subsidies of up to Rs 1 crore are being offered under the Mukhya Mantri Krushi Udyog Yojana to encourage agricultural entrepreneurship and investment.
He added that over 1,800 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in Odisha have collectively conducted business worth Rs 126 crore over the last two years.
Majhi also highlighted the expansion of coffee cultivation over one lakh acres in districts including Koraput and Kalahandi and stressed the importance of strengthening the branding of Koraput coffee in international markets.
Noting that agricultural productivity in eastern India remains lower than several other regions of the country, the Chief Minister said the conference would help participating states exchange best practices and successful farming models.
He expressed confidence that the roadmap emerging from the conference would contribute significantly towards achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Poorvoday” vision and help eastern India emerge as a self-reliant agricultural region.
