Farmers Welfare / Odisha CM Disburses Rs833 Crore to 41 lakh Farmers Under CM‑KISAN Scheme

Bhubaneswar, Sept 4: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday disbursed over Rs833 crore to more than 41 lakh farmers across the state as the fifth installment of the CM‑KISAN scheme, officials said.

The funds were transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) at a state‑level programme held at the Krushi Shiksha Sadan of Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology (OUAT) here.

The scheme aims to make farmers financially self‑reliant and encourage agricultural activities. Beneficiaries include small and marginal farmers, landless families, and particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs). Of the total 41,39,927 farmers, 13,939 are landless families who received assistance for Rabi farming, covering seeds, fertilizers, and other inputs.

Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, along with other Ministers and dignitaries, attended the Bhubaneswar event. Parallel programmes were organised in districts including Dhenkanal, Kalahandi, Ganjam, Cuttack, Kendujhar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Puri, and Jagatsinghpur, where respective ministers presided over the disbursement.

Addressing the gathering, CM Majhi said farmers had faced distress for decades, but his government was committed to improving their income. He urged cultivators to diversify beyond paddy, encouraging ragi and millet cultivation. “What was once considered the food of the poor has today become the food of the rich. By cultivating millet, farmers can earn Rs4,886 per quintal,” he said.

CM Majhi noted that farmers in Western Odisha had requested timely assistance, prompting the government to release the installment on Janmashtami. He emphasised that nearly 80 percent of Odisha’s population depends on agriculture and allied activities, and the CM‑KISAN scheme was designed to strengthen their financial independence.

The initiative reflects the state’s broader push to enhance farmer welfare, ensure inclusive growth, and promote sustainable agriculture. Officials said the scheme is expected to boost confidence among farming communities and encourage crop diversification.