Interface Meeting on Enhancing the Preparedness for Agriculture Contingencies during kharif 2023 for Odisha

27th June 2023, Hyderabad

A State Level Virtual Interface Meeting on Enhancing the Preparedness for Agriculture Contingencies during kharif 2023 for Odisha was jointly organized by ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad and Department of Agriculture & Farmers Empowerment, Government of Odisha here today.

Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, IAS, Principal Secretary, Dept. of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Govt of Odisha, in his keynote address briefed various development initiatives taken up in the state such as Millets Mission, Mission on Maize and shared that a weekly review meeting with all departments are taking place to review the progress of sowings and crop conditions and advised all district level officials to be vigilant to manage the crops efficiently to reduce the impact of deficient rainfall, if any, during the season.

Dr. V.K. Singh, Director ICAR-CRIDA, emphasized the need for contingency crop planning in Odisha as per the long-range weather forecast issued by IMD and the South Asian Climate Outlook Forum(SASCOF).

Shri Prem Chandra Choudhary, Director, Dept. of Agriculture, Govt. of Odisha presented the preparedness for agriculture contingencies in terms of seeds availability, crop diversification to millets, pulses, and oilseeds.

Shri Subhash Saxena, Director, Soil and Water Conservation, Govt. of Odisha stressed the promotion of micro irrigation systems, support for vegetable cultivation coupled with MI systems.

Shri Rohit Lenka, Director, Horticulture, Govt. of Odisha emphasized the promotion of spices, mushrooms, and floriculture specially in mid and uplands, promotion of agro forestry systems.

Dr K.V. Rao Presented the seasonal rainfall forecast issued by IMD &SASCOF. He also urged to take measures for reducing the gap between irrigation potential created and utilized in association with irrigation department and to ensure the timely release of water to paddy crops during the season.

Dr P Misha Dean, Extension OUAT elaborated on the revision of contingency plans by KVKs incorporating the changes on sowing windows, new varieties info etc.

The district officials presented the contingency plans for their respective districts in the event of insufficient rainfall at different time periods and projected the requirement of various inputs.

Representatives of ICAR institutes located in Odisha, District Agriculture Officers of various districts of Odisha, Project Coordinators of KVKs, Scientists from ICAR-CRIDA, and the scientists from ICAR institutes located in Odisha attended the meeting.

(Source: ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad)