Sambalpur, Apr 14: Production in the agricultural, horticultural, and animal husbandry and fisheries sectors in Sambalpur district will be increased. The livelihood of farmers will be improved by prioritizing these four agricultural sectors. This will make the 'Viksit Sambalpur' dream come true, said Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan while attending the 'Pushp Krishi Mela' at Sanatanpali in Jujumura block of Sambalpur on Monday.

On the occasion of Odia New Year, Mahavishuva Sankranti and Hanuman Jayanti, Pradhan laid the foundation stone for the proposed 'Krushak Bhavan', god-down and covershed projects at Sanatanpali.

The Union Minister inaugurated the "Pushpa Krushi Pallihouse" organised jointly by CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow, the Government of India and the Odisha Government. He visited orchards on the occasion. Later, he attended "Pushpa Krushi Mela, and distributed saplings among farmers. He talked to youth farmer Pramod.

Pradhan said agriculture is the mainstay of Sambalpur's economy. It is commendable that the farmers of Sanatanpali are benefiting from the cultivation of flowers and encouraging others to cultivate flowers. Such an initiative in Sambalpur district will boost entrepreneurship and employment generation in the field of floriculture. It will boost the local economy. In the coming days, this step will give a new shape to the market infrastructure of Sambalpur. The identity of the local area will increase and our farmers' income will be doubled.

Pradhan, also the local MP, assured that the double-engine government will make all efforts to make Sambalpur a floriculture hub.

"Flowers will be produced not only in winter but also once in four months. The cultivation of flowers will cost only Rs 30,000 per acre and the flowers will be sold at a price of more than Rs 1 lakh. This will improve the lives of our farmers," said Pradhan.

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