Odisha clears ₹1,037-crore agriculture action plan under PM-RKVY

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has approved an ambitious ₹1,037.19-crore annual action plan under the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) for 2026-27, paving the way for the implementation of 16 integrated schemes aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity, promoting climate-resilient farming and accelerating the adoption of modern technologies.

The plan received approval during the 39th State Level Approval Committee meeting of the PM-RKVY Integrated Umbrella Scheme, chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg at Lok Seva Bhawan on Wednesday.

The committee reviewed the implementation of ongoing projects and discussed fresh initiatives covering agriculture and allied sectors. Agriculture Commissioner-cum-Secretary Sachin Ramachandra Yadav presented the annual work plan and outlined the progress of PM-RKVY programmes in the state.

The approved action plan has been structured around four broad components—self-reliance and food security, climate resilience, technology and agricultural extension, and national priority development schemes. The meeting also deliberated on strengthening support for farmers through initiatives in horticulture, oilseeds, pulses, oil palm cultivation, agricultural mechanisation, digital farming, organic agriculture and extension services.

A key proposal discussed was the Kapas Kanti mission, with an annual outlay of ₹15.01 crore to boost cotton cultivation in eight districts. The programme will focus on modern farming practices, integrated crop management, farmer training and improving crop productivity.

The committee also examined revised proposals under the RKVY Detailed Project Reports (DPRs). While 12 projects have already been submitted to the Centre for approval, four new proposals were taken up, including projects on generating clean energy from agricultural waste, promoting integrated farming systems, and introducing a Zero Drudgery Value Chain Model to reduce the physical workload of women farmers while enhancing their incomes.

Besides reviewing the watershed development component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana and the Reward Odisha programme, the committee discussed annual action plans, revised project proposals and the use of flexi and reserve funds to incentivise high-performing watershed projects. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the use of research outcomes and scaling up RKVY projects were also released during the meeting.

Chairing the meeting, Chief Secretary Anu Garg stressed the need for timely implementation of all approved projects and directed implementing agencies to ensure better convergence with existing state schemes. She also called for expanding micro-irrigation by leveraging major irrigation projects, preparing a three-year roadmap to improve agricultural productivity, promoting Koraput coffee as a distinct brand, encouraging natural and organic farming, and adopting a mission-mode approach for pulse and oilseed cultivation.

The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Finance, Sanjeev Kumar Mishra, OUAT Vice-Chancellor, directors of Agriculture, Soil Conservation and Textiles & Handicrafts, along with senior officials from the Horticulture, Water Resources and other departments.