BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Mohan Charna Majhi on Friday urged farmers of the state to move beyond paddy cultivation and focus on crop diversification by growing pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits and other cash crops to enhance their income and strengthen the agricultural economy.
Addressing farmers at a state-level programme held at Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) here on the occasion of the release of 22nd instalment of financial assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Guwahati, the chief minister said Odisha has fertile soil and vast agricultural potential that can be better utilised through diversified farming practices.
“Our farmers should not remain confined only to paddy cultivation. They should also focus on pulses, vegetables, fruits and other cash crops. With proper utilisation of our fertile soil, Odisha can emerge as a leading state in agricultural exports,” Majhi said, while also cautioning about challenges such as climate change, erratic weather patterns, water scarcity and soil degradation.
Emphasising that farmers are the backbone of society and the true drivers of the nation’s economy, Majhi said, “The development of the country and the state is impossible without the progress of our farmers. Both the central and state governments are committed to increasing farmers’ income.”
Under the latest installment, nearly Rs 19,000 crore was transferred to about 9.32 crore farmers nationwide. In Odisha, more than 34.24 lakh eligible farmers received financial assistance of Rs 684 crore.
“While Rs 2,000 per installment may appear modest to some, for a small farmer it is a meaningful recognition of his hard work,” he said. The chief minister also urged farmers to complete all mandatory requirements such as e-KYC, Aadhaar-bank account linkage, correction of Aadhaar details and verification of land records to ensure they continue receiving the benefits of the scheme.
Highlighting state initiatives, the chief minister said the government is also providing financial assistance to farmers under the CM Kisan Yojana, through which eligible farmers receive Rs 4,000 annually in two installments. So far, more than 51.54 lakh beneficiaries have received assistance exceeding Rs 2,991 crore under the scheme.
Deputy chief minister and Agriculture minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo advised farmers who may have missed the payment to complete Aadhaar-bank linkage and update their land documents to ensure inclusion in future installments. He expressed gratitude to the prime minister and chief minister for approving the establishment of new agriculture colleges at Mayurbhanj and Balangir districts and a fisheries college in Sonepur district.