Dikhyaa Mohanty 
A review meeting to evaluate the advancement of different programs and initiatives aimed at advancing the agricultural sector in Odisha was presided over by Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Ranendra Pratap Swain on Wednesday. Principal Secretary Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Director of Agriculture & Food Production Prem Chandra Chaudhary, Chief District Agriculture Officers (CDAOs), and other representatives were present at the meeting.
The Minister evaluated the district-by-district accomplishments and unused funding of several initiatives up to FY 2022–2023 during the meeting. He also assessed the department’s supply of short-duration paddy seeds that were intended to be given to farmers in times of need, like floods. The Minister requested that the Principal Secretary recognize outstanding CDAOs in order to promote them.
Additionally, he urged that enforcement campaigns be carried out in all districts to check for the illegal sale of agricultural supplies by dealers, cancel their licenses, and file criminal charges against them. All district Collectors must receive letters in this respect.
Principal Secretary claims that Odisha is becoming a leader in the field of agricultural mechanization and is putting special emphasis on fostering agri-entrepreneurship. He underlined the value of having the appropriate inputs in agriculture and requested that CDAOs make sure they are accessible. He also urged crop diversification and agricultural exports, pointing out that Odisha was the fourth-largest contributor of rice to the national pool.
