Bhubaneswar, Nov 9: Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is all set to embark on a one-day visit to Odisha and participate in a series of programmes focused on enhancing farmers’ income, promoting natural farming, and ensuring nutritional security in the state.
According to the official itinerary, Chouhan will depart from Patna in the morning and arrive in Bhubaneswar by 11:00 a.m. on November 10 (Monday).
His visit will commence with his participation as Chief Guest at the inaugural session of the ‘Mandia Dibasa (Millet Day)’ celebration at the Convention Centre in Lok Seva Bhawan.
During the event, he is expected to highlight the Central Government’s initiatives to boost the production, processing, and consumption of millets (Shri Anna) across Odisha and other states. The programme will also include discussions on leveraging millets as a tool for increasing farmers’ income and strengthening the rural economy.
Following the inaugural session, Chouhan will proceed to the Sadar region of Cuttack district for field visits and direct interactions with farmers. He will assess the ground-level implementation of various Central agricultural schemes and gather feedback from cultivators regarding challenges and opportunities in the sector.
In the afternoon, the Union Agriculture Minister will participate in a strategic review meeting at the ICAR – Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI) in Bidyadharpur, Cuttack. The meeting will focus on strengthening the implementation of flagship national agricultural programmes such as the PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana, the Self-Reliance in Pulses Mission, and the National Mission on Natural Farming. Senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, ICAR scientists, and representatives from the Odisha Government are expected to attend the deliberations.
The discussion will aim to formulate actionable strategies for achieving higher agricultural productivity, sustainability, and self-reliance. Chouhan’s visit is seen as a key step in advancing the Centre’s vision of sustainable and technology-driven agriculture in Odisha and across the country.
Emphasising the importance of farmers in India’s development, Chouhan has often reiterated that “India’s future lies in the fields of its farmers. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, we are committed to making farming profitable, environmentally friendly, and technology-driven.”
Notably, the ‘Mandia Dibasa’ celebration highlights Odisha’s continued leadership in promoting millets. Following the Central Government’s declaration of 2023 as the International Year of Millets, the state has emerged as a key partner in expanding millet-based farming systems. Community-driven initiatives in districts such as Koraput, Rayagada, and Kandhamal have delivered impressive results, enhancing both agricultural productivity and nutritional outcomes.
