Odisha Targets 29.3 Lakh Hectares for Rabi Crops Under 2025–26 Campaign

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is gearing up for a robust Rabi season with an ambitious plan to cover 29.30 lakh hectares under various crops as part of the Rabi Campaign 2025–26. The state government aims to boost production and strengthen self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds through a coordinated, technology-driven approach.

The State Level Conference on Rabi Campaign 2025–26 was held today at Krushi Bhavan Auditorium, Bhubaneswar, under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy, Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, in the presence of DC-cum-ACS Smt. Anu Garg and Principal Secretary, Agriculture, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee.

The Rabi Campaign 2025–26, approved by the Chief Secretary, Odisha on October 22, aims to bring around 29.30 lakh hectares of land under cultivation for various crops. This includes 15.13 lakh hectares under pulses, 3.70 lakh hectares under oilseeds, 4.97 lakh hectares under vegetables, 1.15 lakh hectares under condiments, and 0.21 lakh hectares under sugarcane, with an overall production target of 23.26 lakh MT of food grains, 8.20 lakh MT of pulses, and 4.21 lakh MT of oilseeds.

In his keynote address, Dy. CM Singh Deo emphasized the need for proactive coordination across departments to ensure timely input supply, effective inter-departmental convergence, and robust field-level monitoring. He also suggested that unused agricultural farms could be repurposed for storage infrastructure, adding that strong leadership and result-oriented implementation are vital to achieving a productive and climate-resilient Rabi season in Odisha.

DC-cum-ACS Anu Garg highlighted that the state’s reservoirs have achieved surplus water levels, paving the way for expanding irrigation coverage. “We are aiming for 90% of cultivable areas to have irrigation access. Water must be used efficiently to maximize agricultural output,” she said.

Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary, Agriculture, shared that the Rabi Programme 2025–26 has been designed with a strategic focus on enhancing the area and productivity of pulses and oilseeds to achieve Atmanirbharata (self-sufficiency) in these crops. He also informed that an MoU between DAFP and ICARDA has been signed for new variety development.

Dr. Padhee further stressed the importance of coordinated implementation of key national programmes, including Prime Minister Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY), National Pulse Mission, NMEO–Oilseeds, NFSM, National Horticulture Mission, Jackfruit Mission, National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), RKVY, PMKSY, and PMFBY. He also underlined the need to strengthen state initiatives such as Shree Anna Abhiyan, Rice Fallow Management, Balabhadra Jaivik Chasa Mission, and Farm Mechanization to boost farmers’ incomes.

Odisha’s horticulture sector continues to expand with greater adoption of modern technologies and diversification into high-value crops. Programmes such as MIDH, PMKSY, NMEO–Oil Palm, and state-specific schemes for potato, vegetable, and spice cultivation, as well as fruit-specific initiatives, are being implemented with focus on regular monitoring and timely interventions.

The conference also underscored the significance of Soil Conservation and Watershed Development programmes such as Coffee Mission, MGNREGS, Rainfed Area Development, and OMBADC, which contribute to sustainable agriculture and resilience in rain-fed regions.

All district Collectors have received the Rabi Circular from the Chief Secretary, outlining crop strategies suited to the agro-ecological conditions of each district.