Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated #KrushiOdisha2019, aimed at increasing farmers’ income and addressed farmers on the pioneering agrarian reforms introduced by State Government. He urged all to be part of KALIA, a unique program to empower small & marginal farmers.
He highlighted enhancing of state’s irrigation potential, by enabling irrigation on 8 lakh hectares at expenditure of ₹30,000 crore. Remaining 2 lakh hectares of the targeted 10 lakh hectares to be completed by April.
Be it five Krishi Karman Awards, a separate agricultural budget since last six years or becoming a surplus state in food grain production, Odisha has gone strength to strength in enhancing farmers’ income and in introducing remunerative market options and post-harvest solutions.
“KALIA is an ideal scheme for the entire nation as it will open new doors of development,” said Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here on Tuesday.
The Odisha CM said this after inaugurating the state-level annual farmers’ convention, ‘Krushi Odisha 2019’, at Biju Patnaik Ground in Baramunda here.
The 5-day flagship programme of the State government, organised in collaboration with Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), will continue till January 19.
Addressing the huge gathering, Patnaik said, “I will be very happy if you (farmers) utilise the ‘KALIA’ assistance in farming. I will be very happy when your (farmers) income increases.”
The Chief Minister said, “In 2014, I had promised to irrigate 10 lakh hectares more agricultural land. In the last four years, we have spent Rs 30,000 crores on irrigation. Today we have been able to irrigate 8 lakh hectares of land. Till April 2019, we’ll reach our goal.”
“Odisha has been a pioneering State in bringing out agrarian reforms. We have been presenting separate Agriculture Budgets since the last six with massive increase in allocation for the sector. My Government has intensified its efforts to enhance farmers’ income with sustainable agricultural practices by promoting efficient extension and production technology, post-harvest solutions, effective value addition, and remunerative market options,” the Chief Minister pointed out.
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