Bhubaneswar, May 15: Several leaders of different parities observed Akhi Muthi Anukula rituals to mark the initiation of agricultural activities of this season on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya.

The Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment Minister, Arun Sahu, has participated in the following ritual in his hometown in Nayagarh. He was seen ploughing the fields with the bullocks.

Talking about which he said “Farmers are our annadata and to pay them and farming respect is our age-old culture. Today, we worshipped and performed the rituals in this auspicious occasion and wish our farmers increase their production this season.” 

Further, thanking the farmers for their contribution Sahu said “the efforts and hard work of our farmers in this unprecedented crisis of Covid-19 has contributed largely to the state’s economy making it the fourth state in the country for highest paddy production.”

Meanwhile, Congress leader and Jatani MLA Sura Routray also observed the rituals in Paniora in Khordha district.

However, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also used to participate in this rituals earlier but due to health reasons and the present situation of Covid-19, he has been not been able to take part in it from last two years.