Finance
Odisha has received the Agriculture Leadership Award 2022 for its critical role in increasing agricultural productivity.
Agriculture Today Group presented the award on Thursday at a function held at the Holiday Inn in Aero City, New Delhi. Odisha has been named the best state in the country by a national jury panel.
Anjana Panda, Additional Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, accepted the award on behalf of the department.
The timely actions of the state government, combined with the hard work of the farmers, have transformed Odisha from a deficit state in independent India to a self-sufficient state in foodgrain production.
Odisha, in addition to being self-sufficient, is now exporting excess rice outside the state.
Odisha produced a record 130.39 lakh MT of foodgrains in 2020-21.
In the last 20 years, it has more than doubled its foodgrain production; in 2000-01, the state’s foodgrain production was only 55.35 lakh MT.
The Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Department has implemented Agriculture Policy-2020 ‘Samruddhi’ on the direction of the Chief Minister for the overall and continuous development of agriculture.
Odisha is the first state in the country to grant agriculture industry status in order to facilitate the establishment of agro-industries.
Increased production has resulted from extensive use of scientific methods, improved technology, and agro machinery.
The schemes and services are done online to ensure complete transparency in implementation and that the benefits of schemes reach the farmers directly.
Through the implementation of the Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana, an attractive subsidy is being provided for the extensive establishment of agro-industries. Furthermore, an emphasis is being placed on integrated farming while maximizing income opportunities for allied farming.
Farmers’ incomes have been increased by establishing market links for the marketing and sale of agricultural products.
While the KALIA Yojana was implemented to benefit farmers, the BALARAM Yojana was implemented to make loans more accessible to landless farmers.
Odisha Millet Mission was established to provide nutritional value to the people. The NITI Aayog has praised it as a model mission.
Apart from introducing a special Agriculture Budget, the State government has consistently increased the outlay in the Agriculture Budget. The Agriculture Cabinet has also been formed by the state government.
This has resulted in a tremendous increase in agricultural production and farmer welfare.
