Cuttack, Nov 10: Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday visited Rajhans village under Cuttack Sadar block in Odisha, engaging directly with farmers and inspecting crop fields. The visit was part of a broader initiative to strengthen grassroots agricultural development and promote farmer-centric policies.

During his interaction, the Minister Chouhan emphasized the importance of field visits to understand real challenges faced by farmers. He reiterated that farmers are the backbone of the nation and deserve direct support.

Highlighting government schemes, Chouhan assured that crop payments would be routed directly to farmers’ accounts, bypassing intermediaries. He also addressed concerns over pest attacks in paddy fields and promised swift compensation and preventive measures.

Chouhan praised the adoption of solar-powered irrigation and encouraged farmers to embrace sustainable practices. He also noted efforts to increase cabbage cultivation support from Rs3 lakh to Rs4 lakh per farmer. The Minister distributed agricultural tools and honored progressive farmers during the event.

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Odisha Agriculture Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, senior scientists from ICAR, and over 400 farmers were present on the occasion. The discussions were focused on the National Crop Mission, PM Dhan Dhan Yojana, and strategies for self-reliant farming ecosystems, officials said.

Coinciding with the Minister’s visit, Odisha celebrated Millet Day today, reinforcing its commitment to promoting climate-resilient and nutrition-rich crops. Events across districts showcased millet-based recipes, farmer success stories, and policy support for millet cultivation.

The state’s Millet Mission has gained national recognition for empowering tribal farmers and enhancing food security.