Odisha Showcases 5.3% Agriculture Growth, Pushes Climate-Resilient Farming

Bhubaneswar/New Delhi: Showcasing robust agricultural growth and an ambitious roadmap for climate-resilient farming, Odisha on Friday positioned itself among the country’s leading agrarian states during the National Conference on Kharif held in New Delhi.

Representing the state at the high-level conference, Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo said Odisha’s agriculture sector is estimated to register a growth rate of 5.3 per cent during the 2025-26 fiscal year, surpassing the national average of 3.1 per cent.

The state also highlighted its strong agricultural performance during 2024-25, recording production of more than 150 lakh metric tonnes of food grains and 156 lakh metric tonnes of horticulture produce.

Officials said Odisha is aligning its agricultural strategy with the Centre’s “Purvodaya” vision and the state’s long-term “Vikashit Odisha @ 2036” development framework, with emphasis on rural infrastructure, farmer income enhancement and sustainable farming systems.

During the conference, the Odisha delegation discussed preparedness for the upcoming Kharif 2026 season and informed that cultivation is planned across 57.40 lakh hectares in the state.

To support the cultivation drive, the state government has created a Rs 100-crore corpus fund for supply of 4 lakh quintals of certified seeds and another Rs 240-crore corpus fund for advance positioning of 11.43 lakh metric tonnes of fertilisers.

The state also highlighted implementation of the “Samrudha Krushak Yojana”, under which paddy farmers are receiving Rs 3,100 per quintal through additional input assistance over and above the Minimum Support Price (MSP).

Odisha further showcased its Digital Agriculture Mission, which includes initiatives such as Farmer Registry, Digital Crop Survey and AgriStack integration aimed at modernising agricultural service delivery and improving access to government schemes.

Seeking greater central support, the state submitted a memorandum to the Government of India proposing several policy revisions and enhanced financial assistance.

Under the “Mission for Atmanirvarata in Pulses”, Odisha requested enhancement of allocation for pulse demonstration programmes from Rs 24.74 crore covering 24,740 hectares to Rs 200 crore covering two lakh hectares.

The state also urged the Centre to sanction the remaining amount of its Rs 80.50-crore Digital Crop Survey annual action plan, of which Rs 42.75 crore has already been approved.

To streamline procurement operations, Odisha proposed simplification of the Price Support Scheme (PSS), requesting that quality verification of produce be conducted only once at procurement centres to enable faster payment to farmers through MARKFED.

The state additionally highlighted several sustainable and heritage-linked agricultural initiatives, including the proposed “Balabhadra Jaibika Chasa Mission”, a five-year natural farming programme covering 16,600 hectares.

Officials also spoke about the “Amruta Anna” initiative aimed at cultivation of aromatic organic rice for preparation of Mahaprasad at the Shree Jagannath Temple.

Odisha further presented its long-term plan to develop one lakh acres of organic high-altitude coffee plantations in Koraput district to strengthen livelihoods of tribal women and expand the state’s organic farming footprint.

For horticulture and oil palm development, the state sought additional support from the Centre, including enhanced subsidies for borewells, provisions for barbed-wire fencing to prevent crop damage caused by elephants, and revised cost norms for cultivation of crops such as ginger and turmeric.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Department Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, Director of Agriculture Shubham Saxena and other senior officials attended the conference.