Ensure adequate seeds for farmers: Odisha government
Kharif operations will start from Akshaya Tritiya, to be celebrated on May 15
BHUBANESWAR: With the kharif season set to begin soon, agriculture minister Arun Kumar Sahoo has asked the officials to ensure the availability of adequate seeds and fertilizers for farmers in the state.
Sahoo recently held a meeting to review the preparedness for agricultural activities in the state. Since the state government has allowed all kinds of agriculture and allied activities during the current lockdown period, Sahoo asked field-level officers to extend full cooperation to the farmers. He also directed them to prepare a database of the farmers so that the government-sponsored benefits can reach them.
A decision to have a coordination meeting with the cooperation department for the smooth disbursement of crop loans to the farmers in the state and ensuring the adequate supply of pesticides and fertilizers was also taken. Officials said the state government has decided to disburse crop loans worth more than Rs 9,000 crore to support the farmers during the pandemic. More than 20 lakh farmers avail themselves of crop loans in Odisha every year.
Kharif agricultural activities in Odisha generally start from Akshaya Tritiya, which will fall on May 15. Farmers perform the ceremonial act of sowing seeds in paddy fields on the occasion.
“Since agriculture is a major contributor to the state’s economy and the bulk of the population depends on farming, we will extend all possible help to the community,” the agriculture minister said.
The state government has allowed sowing, nursery and land preparation, irrigation, planting and harvesting during the lockdown. Distribution, sale and transportation of seeds have also been allowed. As 90% farmers are engaged in paddy cultivation, the field-level officers have been asked to encourage them to take up crop diversification.
While the state government had set a target of producing 96 lakh metric tonne (MT) of foodgrain during last year’s kharif , it is likely to increase it this time around.
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