Odisha CM Urges Farmers to Adopt Crop Diversification for Higher Profits

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has called upon farmers across Odisha to adopt crop diversification and allied agricultural activities to make farming more profitable and sustainable.

Speaking at a state-level event organized by the Agriculture and Farmer Empowerment Department at ICAR-SIFA on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, the Chief Minister stressed the importance of integrating practices like fish farming and animal husbandry into traditional farming systems. “Such initiatives will not only improve productivity but also substantially increase farmers’ incomes,” he said.

As part of the event, the Chief Minister distributed the 20th installment of financial assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) Yojana, providing ₹2,000 each to 34.85 lakh eligible farmers across the state. He declared the occasion as PM-Kisan Diwas, being observed in all districts, blocks, and panchayats of Odisha.

Majhi reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to bringing every deserving farmer under the ambit of the PM-Kisan scheme. “Special outreach programs have been held in all blocks to ensure that no eligible farmer is left behind,” he said.

Highlighting other state-level agricultural initiatives, the Chief Minister noted that under the Samriddha Kisan Yojana, farmers are receiving an additional input assistance of ₹800 per quintal of paddy. He informed that assistance worth nearly ₹6,000 crore was provided to around 17 lakh farmers during the last Kharif season, while over ₹1,600 crore was distributed to more than 3 lakh farmers during the Rabi season.

Deputy Chief Minister K. V. Singh Deo also addressed the gathering, urging farmers to shift from traditional paddy cultivation to more diversified and organic farming systems. He emphasized that such transitions are crucial for both environmental sustainability and long-term income security.

The event reinforced the government’s focus on building a resilient agricultural economy in Odisha through support schemes, financial inclusion, and modern farming practices.