Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik emphasized on Farm Mechanization and Crop Diversification at the inauguration of the Krushi Odisha 2023. The three day event was inaugurated by the Chief Minister at Biju Patnaik Playground in Bararmunda at capital city Bhubaneswar on Thursday.
Speaking on the occasion, Naveen Patnaik advised farmers to embrace modern technologies that will help them produce ample crops as the theme of this year’s event is ‘Emerging Technologies in Agriculture’. The three day programme is organized by Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department and will continue till February 18, 2023.
Naveen Patnaik further stated that the development of farmers and agriculture is the government’s prime objective. There is no doubt that Odisha has become a leading state in the field of agriculture, once a food deficit state is now a food surplus state.
“The Odisha Millet Mission has not only garnered attention in the national level in fact, it has become a talk of the town in the global scenario which has helped in increasing the income of the Mission Shakti Groups,” the CM added.
Through KALIA scheme, farmers have secured a livelihood as efforts are being made to increase the productivity of the crops by focusing on various initiatives like jackfruit mission, mushroom mission.
The Chief Minister extended his gratitude to the officials of different organizations like WFP, IFAD and FAO for their constant support in the field of agriculture.
Agriculture Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain informed that several innovative steps have been taken by the Agriculture department to increase productivity and enhance farmers’ income. He also added that Odisha has become self-dependent in the production of fish, meat, eggs and milk in the last two decades.
Usually events kick start with the lighting of the lamp but Krushi Odisha took a green initiative by watering plants by the dignitaries.
Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment Department delivered the welcome address whereas Prem Chandra Chaudhary, Director of Agriculture and Food Production, Govt of Odisha proposed the vote of thanks.