New Delhi/Bhubaneswar, May 30: Odisha has recorded a robust agricultural growth trajectory, with an estimated growth rate of 5.3 per cent in FY 2025–26, outperforming the national average of 3.1 per cent, the State Government informed at the National Conference on Kharif held in New Delhi.
The state reported that its agricultural sector witnessed strong production during the 2024–25 season, with over 150 lakh metric tonnes of food grains and 156 lakh metric tonnes of horticulture produce, reflecting improved productivity and sustained sectoral expansion.
Leading the Odisha delegation, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo presented the state’s preparedness and strategic roadmap for the upcoming Kharif 2026 season, aligned with the Centre’s “Purvodaya” vision and Odisha’s long-term development framework “Viksit Odisha @ 2036”.
For the Kharif 2026 season, Odisha has set a cultivation target of 57.40 lakh hectares. To ensure timely agricultural inputs, the state announced the creation of a ₹100 crore fund for certified seed distribution (4 lakh quintals) and a ₹240 crore fund for fertiliser availability (11.43 lakh metric tonnes).
The state also highlighted the implementation of the Samruddha Krushak Yojana, under which paddy farmers receive ₹3,100 per quintal as additional input assistance over and above the Minimum Support Price (MSP), aimed at strengthening farmer income support.
Odisha informed the conference about its ongoing Digital Agriculture Mission, integrating Farmer Registry, Digital Crop Survey, and AgriStack systems to improve transparency, efficiency, and service delivery in the agriculture sector.
The state submitted proposals seeking enhanced central assistance for key programmes. Under the Mission for Atmanirbharata in Pulses, Odisha proposed expanding the pulse demonstration programme from ₹24.74 crore (24,740 hectares) to ₹200 crore (2 lakh hectares). It also urged full approval of its ₹80.50 crore Digital Crop Survey programme, noting partial sanction at present.
To improve procurement efficiency under the Price Support Scheme, Odisha suggested simplifying quality inspection procedures at procurement centres and enabling direct payment mechanisms through the State Level Supporting Agency MARKFED, reducing delays and improving farmer convenience.
The state further presented initiatives promoting sustainable and traditional agriculture, including the upcoming Balabhadra Jaibika Chasa Mission, a five-year natural farming programme covering 16,600 hectares, and the Amruta Anna initiative focused on producing aromatic organic rice for Mahaprasad at the Shree Jagannath Temple.
Odisha also outlined a long-term plan to develop one lakh acres of organic Koraput coffee plantations, aimed at enhancing tribal livelihoods and promoting high-value agriculture.
Additional proposals included support for modern horticulture systems, improved borewell subsidies, measures to address human–wildlife conflict through protective fencing, and revised cost norms for spice cultivation such as ginger and turmeric.
Senior officials including Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment (DAFE) and Shubham Saxena, Director of Agriculture, participated in the conference.
