Finance
Odisha has officially inaugurated the Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) in four districts: Kandhamal, Malkangiri, Sundargarh, and Nuapada, with the goal of empowering farmers through crop diversification and increased revenue. Along with this, the state has launched substantial fisheries infrastructure projects to boost the Blue Economy, including an integrated Aqua Park in Sambalpur and a sophisticated wholesale fish market in Bhubaneswar.
The projects were introduced during a session at Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology’s (OUAT) Krishi Shiksha Sadan, where Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi spoke positively about the schemes’ impact on the farming community.
It is noteworthy that Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched these schemes in 100 districts across the country. In Odisha, the schemes have been implemented from today in four districts—Kandhamal, Malkangiri, Sundargarh, and Nuapada. Under this initiative, an annual expenditure of Rs 24,000 crore will be made over the next six years across India, benefiting 1.7 crore farmers.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister also lay the groundwork for two significant projects: a modern integrated Aqua Park in Basantpur village of Sambalpur, worth Rs 100 crore, and a modern fish market in Pandara, Bhubaneswar, worth roughly Rs 60 crore.
In his speech, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi emphasized that agriculture and related activities are not just the primary source of income in Odisha, but also throughout the country.
“Agriculture and allied activities are the main sources of livelihood for more than 60% of Odisha’s population. With the launch of PMDDKY, farmers will have opportunities to diversify beyond paddy cultivation into pulses, oilseeds, and other high-value crops. This will lead to higher incomes and reduce Odisha’s dependence on imports of pulses and edible oils,” the Chief Minister said.
CM Majhi also remarked that India has gained self-reliance in a variety of industries over the last 11 years. It is now necessary to achieve self-sufficiency in main food crops, oilseeds, and pulses. Despite progress, India continues to rely on imports of pulses and edible oils. Reducing this dependence is critical. As a result, the plans announced today by the Prime Minister are aimed at developing self-sufficient farmers.
CM Majhi went on to say that since the administration took power, important changes have been implemented in agriculture and related areas. As part of this effort, the state government has allocated Rs 37,838 crore for the development of these sectors in the 2025–26 budget. The most prominent among these is the ‘Samrudh Krushak Yojana,’ under which farmers in Odisha are receiving Rs 3,100 per quintal, combining the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and input assistance.
At the state-level inauguration of the ambitious farmer welfare initiative PMDDKY, the Chief Minister expressed his firm optimism that the scheme will benefit farming families and increase their income. He thanked the Prime Minister for selecting Odisha’s Kandhamal, Malkangiri, Sundargarh, and Nuapada districts for the initiative.
He further promised that the state government is completely dedicated to its successful execution. Farmers will be able to increase their revenue by diversifying beyond paddy farming and into pulses, oilseeds, and other high-value crops thanks to this effort.
Another significant development in the capital is the Pandara Wholesale Fish Market Project. It will be built under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with a total investment of Rs 59.13 crore, comprising Rs 30 crore from the national government and Rs 29.13 crore from the state. The market, which is being implemented jointly by the Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department and the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), would directly help 143 sellers while also providing indirect employment to nearly 2,000 people. It would meet the fish demands of both Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with BMC, and the project is projected to be finished in November 2027.
Together, the Integrated Aqua Park and Wholesale Fish Market projects will create a value chain from production to processing and marketing, positioning Odisha as a leading state in India’s Blue Revolution.
The Chief Minister further noted that the Prime Minister’s initiatives represent a new chapter in Odisha’s transformation into an Aquaculture Hub in Eastern India.
The Modern Integrated Aqua Park at Hirakud, which will be built on 95.47 acres of government land, is an important step toward promoting modern fish farming. It will primarily assist the state’s fish growers. The overall investment is Rs 100 crore, comprising Rs 60 crore from the Centre and Rs 40 crore from the state. This will be Eastern India’s first Aqua Park project, with completion planned in January 2027. The project’s goal is to turn Sambalpur into a Center of Excellence for Modern Aquaculture, significantly contributing to India’s Blue Revolution.
At the event, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo noted that while the country has already attained self-sufficiency in paddy production, it is now time to focus on self-sufficiency in pulses and oilseeds. He stressed the importance of the ‘Blue Economy,’ which he claims will increase farmer incomes and empower them. He also supported the use of organic farming to create a healthier India.
Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan described the Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana and the Mission for Self-Reliance in Pulses as ground-breaking measures that will set a new standard for holistic agricultural development in Odisha.
While Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram participated virtually from Bisra in Sundargarh, the main event at Krishi Shiksha Sadan in Bhubaneswar was attended by Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Mayor Sulochana Das, OUAT Vice-Chancellor Dr. Pravat Kumar Roul, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Co-operation Department Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Khordha Collector Amrit Ruturaj, and BMC Commissioner Chanchal Rana.
During the program, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Agriculture Department, gave the welcoming address, while Fisheries Department Director Md. Sadique Alam submitted the vote of gratitude.
