Bhubaneswar, Feb 11: ‘Prameya’ and ‘News7’ Group organised a special program and honoured 30 farmers with ‘Krushaka Ratna Sammana-2023’.
One successful and inspirational farmer was selected from each district and was accorded with the prestigious award in the special program organised at Siksha 'O' Anusandhan University’s auditorium.
Notably, a five-member jury committee comprising of Professors and Scientists of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology and SOA University’s Institute of Agricultural Sciences selected the awardees. It had received around 1000 applications from across the state.
Principal Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment Department Arabinda Kumar Padhee graced the occasion as chief guest and said, “Now, the biggest challenge for agriculture is climate change. It has to be tackled in order to increase the agricultural production. State government is taking necessary steps to deal with this.”
Addressing the farmers, Padhee said, “The usage of science and technology in agriculture should be increased and for this digital agriculture should be promoted. Around 30 percent of the farmers in the state are using smart-phones. We have to increase this number.”
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Paradeep Phosphates Limited Bijay Kumar Biswal, who attended the program as guest of honour, said that farmers are the backbone of India’s development system.
There is a huge need to honour the farmers and encourage youth in this field. ‘Krushaka Ratna Sammana-2023’ is a strong step in this regard, he said.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Summa Real Media Sunil Das delivered the welcoming speech and Sales and Marketing Head Himanshu Hota briefed about the ‘Krushaka Ratna Sammana-2023’ award.
Dean of SOA University’s Institute of Agricultural Sciences Santosh Kumar Rout gave details about the curriculum of the college and working editor of News7 Debanarayan Sethi gave vote of thanks.
The program was also attended by Prameya News Editor Dhirendra Narayan Mishra, Bhubaneswar Bureau Chief Debendra Suar, Chief News Co-ordinator Sudeep Rout, DGM Circulation Gajendra Das, DGM Sales S F Ali, Sidharth Roy.
At the end of the program, popular comedian Papu Pam Pam gave a dose of laughter to the attendees.
