Bhubaneswar, June 23: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday assessed Odisha’s Kharif preparedness and the strategy for mitigating potential El Niño impacts.
Chairing a meeting virtually with Deputy Chief Minister and State Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Minister KV Singh Deo, Chouhan laid emphasis on technology and community engagement to combat climatic uncertainty.
Agriculture Secretary Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav and Director Shubham Saxena, Soil Conservation (Director) Subrat Kumar Panda, Horticulture (Director) Kalunge Gorakh Waman attended meeting.
With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting a below-normal southwest monsoon projected at 92% of the Long Period Average eight districts, including Deogarh, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri, and Nabarangpur, are under special monitoring. The state administration is actively mitigating potential risks such as delayed sowing, moisture stress, reduced water availability in reservoirs, and pest incidence.
According to an official release, to secure agricultural productivity, Odisha has finalized a cropping programme targeting 57.88 lakh hectares. A robust support system is already in motion, highlighted by the distribution of certified seeds at subsidized rates and the establishment of a strategic seed reserve of 14,350 quintals comprising 7,500 quintals of paddy and 6,850 quintals of non-paddy seeds, to address mid-season contingencies. Furthermore, the state has already made 6.40 lakh metric tonnes of fertilizers available against the total seasonal requirement of 11.42 lakh MT to support farmers throughout the cultivation cycle.
Prioritizing resilience and farmer empowerment, the government is leveraging technology and community engagement to combat climatic uncertainty. Crop weather advisories are being actively disseminated through the Krushi Samrudhi Helpline’s IVRS system. Additionally, the 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan' campaign and workshops on natural farming are being conducted across all districts and blocks to promote sustainable practices and reduce dependency on chemical inputs, it said.
Singh Deo said that, as part of the proactive defense strategy, Odisha is intensifying its focus on rapid response and financial security for the farming community.
Teams from the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology and Krishi Vigyan Kendras are on high alert for pest surveillance and management, while concerted efforts are underway to maximize farmer enrollment under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). Through this integrated approach, the state remains committed to shielding its farmers from the impacts of El Niño and ensuring sustainable agricultural growth across the season.
The Crop Contingency Plan is already in place both at state and district level. Districts have been asked to go for a block level contingency plan.
