Odisha Govt Committed to Empowering Farmers Through Technology: CM Majhi

Bhubaneswar, June 17 : Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday reaffirmed his government’s unwavering commitment to empowering farmers through the use of modern technology and robust policy support. Speaking at the state-level Kisan Shakti Samavesh held in Balangir to mark the first anniversary of the current state government, Majhi highlighted a series of initiatives aimed at transforming the agricultural sector in Odisha.

The Chief Minister stressed that agriculture and farmers’ welfare will be central to building a developed Odisha. “One of our major election promises was to ensure fair value for the hard work of lakhs of our farmer brothers and sisters — a promise we have fulfilled,” Majhi said, underscoring the importance of technological and mechanical assistance in boosting agricultural productivity.

With over 60 percent of Odisha’s population dependent on agriculture and allied sectors, the state government has already distributed 78,681 units of agricultural machinery, providing subsidies worth ₹459.68 crore directly to farmers through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism.

Majhi also outlined plans to expand irrigation coverage, announcing a target to bring irrigation to 15 lakh hectares of currently unirrigated farmland over the next five years. He referred to the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, launched from Sakhigopal in Puri on May 29, as a key milestone in the state’s mission to modernize agriculture, aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for the sector.

Other major initiatives include the Shri Anna Abhiyan, aimed at reviving traditional crops and promoting nutrition-based farming for small and marginal farmers, and the CM Kisan Yojana, which offers ₹4,000 in financial assistance to both rural and urban farmers. This scheme is being integrated with the central government’s PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi to enhance overall support.

On Akshaya Tritiya, financial support amounting to ₹1,025 crore was distributed to over 50 lakh small and marginal farmers, including members of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and urban farmers.

In a pioneering step, the Chief Minister also announced the Krishi Vidyanidhi Yojana, a scholarship initiative to support higher education for children from farming families.

Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, who was also present at the event, said the state budget has seen a significant increase in allocations for the agricultural sector, with more provisions expected in the upcoming financial plan.

“Our government is committed to making agriculture a profitable and sustainable livelihood for farmers, making it the backbone of our state’s economy,” Majhi concluded.