AgriNation News Newtwork

Bhubaneswar. 7 March 2018 

 The state government has decided to improve agricultural productivity with sustainable agricultural practices and raise farmers’ income by promoting efficient production technology, post-harvest solutions, value-addition and remunerative market options.

“The state government is committed to accelerate inclusive and a sustainable growth in the agriculture sector, which is the most vital in the state’s economy,” said agriculture minister Pradeep Maharathy at “Krushi Odisha – Odisha Investor Summit: Session on Opportunities in Agriculture and Sea Food Processing Sector in Odisha”.

The event was jointly organised by the state agriculture and farmers’ empowerment department and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). A compendium of investible projects in agriculture and allied sectors in Odisha, was released at the inaugural session of the summit. “It is high time that investors started looking at Odisha as one of the most investible states,” said Maharathy said.

“Increase in farm production and productivity are essential for providing food security to the vast majority of the population and achieving significant growth in their income levels,” said Maharathy, adding that organic farming was being promoted on 16,000 acres through Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) in 10 districts.

Maharathy said Farm Information Advisory Centres have been established in every block to enhance the outreach of extension network. “A MoU has been signed between the state-run Agriculture Promotion and Investment Corporation Limited and State Bank of India to improve credit linkage for agricultural enterprises in October last year,” he said.

Micro, small and medium enterprise minister Prafulla Samal said: “The state government is keen to motivate young people to consider agriculture and allied areas as a source of their livelihood. For that, the state government has come out with a number policies to give agriculture a big boost and make agriculture a source of sustainable livelihood for people.”

Principal Secretary, agriculture and farmers’ empowerment, Saurabh Garg said: “More than 10,000 farmers from across 30 districts in Odisha will join the four-day Krushi Pathsala where experts from various agricultural domains will educate farmers in modern agricultural practices and provide hands-on training in how they can enhance cropping intensity and improve high-yielding varieties of seeds”

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