Bhubaneswar: A Regional Conference to review the major schemes of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare was held today in Bhubaneswar. The event, organized under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, brought together senior officials from Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal to discuss progress and strategies in agriculture and farmer welfare initiatives.
Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment Department Principal Secretary, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, highlighted the state’s advancements in climate-resilient and technology-driven farming practices. He announced Odisha’s new initiative, the Balabhadra Jaivik Chasa Mission, designed to promote climate-friendly agricultural practices. Dr. Padhee detailed the use of the e-Chasa app for geo-tagging farmland and digital crop surveys, which enable accurate data collection and enhance transparency in agricultural operations. He also emphasized the success of Odisha’s rice fallow management program, which has utilized four lakh hectares of fallow land to increase the production of pulses and oilseeds. He noted that Odisha recently hosted the International Symposium on Shree Anna and Forgotten Foods, showcasing the state’s commitment to reviving traditional food and agricultural heritage. He also highlighted that Microsoft founder Bill Gates, during a visit to Odisha, had praised the state’s Krushi Samrudhi Helpline for its innovative support to farmers.
Odisha Chief Secretary, Manoj Ahuja, commended the state’s efforts to strengthen irrigation infrastructure to support agriculture and ensure financial stability for farmers. He pointed out that the government had raised the minimum support price for paddy to ₹3,100 per quintal and introduced insurance schemes for farmers to safeguard their livelihoods.
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Secretary, Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi, lauded Odisha’s flagship agricultural schemes, calling them a model for other states. He praised the state’s focus on innovation and inclusion, highlighting the importance of these efforts in boosting agricultural productivity and sustainability.
The conference included an in-depth review of various central government schemes such as the Rashtriya Krushi Vikas Yojana, Krushi Unnati Yojana, PM Jan Jatiya Unnat Abhiyan, Digital Agriculture Mission, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, and the Oilseeds Mission. Union Joint Secretary, Rukmani Devi, presented the Namo Drone Didi initiative, which aims to integrate drone technology into agriculture for enhanced efficiency and productivity.
Dignitaries and participants were felicitated for their contributions to the discussions.
The Regional Conference emphasized the significance of collaborative efforts between the central government and states to advance agricultural practices, improve farmer welfare, and promote sustainable development across the nation.
