Dalhan Atmanirbharata Mission / Odisha Emerging as Agricultural Hub in Purvodaya, Says KV Singh Deo
Key Points
- Deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo said Odisha is emerging as an agricultural hub in Purvodaya.
- Odisha’s CRFM initiative converts rice fallow lands into productive pulse fields.
- Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stressed self-reliance in pulses production.
- Workshop saw participation from ICAR, ICARDA, OUAT, and state ministers.
Bhubaneswar, Feb 7: Odisha is steadily positioning itself as an agricultural hub among the Purvodaya states, Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo said on Saturday.
Speaking at a National Workshop on pulses crops under the Rashtriya Dalhan Atmanirbharata Mission at Amlaha, Sehore, Madhya Pradesh, Singh Deo highlighted the state’s transformation through climate-resilient practices, technological adoption, and strategic policy initiatives.
The workshop, chaired by Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, focused on strengthening India’s self-reliance in pulses production. Chouhan said importing pulses is “a matter of shame” and stressed that the mission is not just about increasing production but also empowering farmers and ensuring food security.
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✨Singh Deo underscored Odisha’s flagship Comprehensive Project on Rice Fallow Management (CRFM), which aims to convert vast rice fallow lands into productive areas for short-duration pulses and oilseeds during the Rabi season. In 2025–26, demonstrations covering 3.5 lakh hectares were programmed across all districts. He said such initiatives are helping Odisha diversify beyond paddy cultivation, enhance farmer incomes, and contribute to national self-reliance in pulses.
Odisha’s agricultural sector, he added, has been experiencing significant growth and transformation, with input assistance for farmers, adoption of modern technology, and resilience against climate challenges. “With all these progressive steps, Odisha is going to be the developmental hub among the Purvodaya states in agriculture,” Singh Deo said.
The workshop was attended by agriculture ministers from various states, Vice-Chancellor of OUAT Pravat Kumar Roul, and representatives from ICAR and ICARDA. The deliberations emphasised collaborative efforts between states and national institutions to achieve self-reliance in pulses production and empower farmers across India.
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