Indus Valley Times

Right time for women to move forward: Naveen Patnaik

By Chitta Ranjan Beura

Bhubaneswar, Jan.12 : Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said that the progress of mothers benefits not only one family but the entire society. Their empowerment is an important program of the state government. Through Mission Shakti, mothers have become partners in all areas of development. The time has come for them to go further in the field of agriculture. Many programs like Mission Shakti, Millet Mission, and Coffee Mission are continuing to provide opportunities for them in the agriculture sector.

Inaugurating Krushi Odisha 2024, launched at Janata Maidan, Bhubaneswar on Friday under the theme “Celebrating Women in Agriculture” in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of Odisha, and FICCI, he described the contribution of women to the agriculture sector as remarkable. He encouraged the women of the state to use the opportunities in the agriculture sector to move forward.

Speaking on the occasion, State Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain said, “Under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Odisha has transformed from starvation to a food surplus state in the last 22 years. In 1999-2000, only Rs 700 crore was allocated for agriculture in the budget. Now the government is preparing a special agriculture budget and has allocated Rs 24,000 crore for it. During this period, the contribution of the budget allocation to the agriculture sector in the total budget has increased from 4 percent to 10 percent. Odisha’s growth has consistently been higher than the national rate due to higher spending. The share of women in agriculture is also more 

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Arabinda Padhee, Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture said, “Through real empowerment and involvement of our women farmers, we aim to transform the farming sector in Odisha.”

Speaking on the occasion, Women and Child Development Minister Basanti Hembram said, “Women have been able to involve themselves in various sectors, ranging from paddy procurement to fish farming through self-help groups (SHGs). Odisha has been an inspiration to other states in the field of agriculture.”

Twenty-seven farmers, including 10 women farmers, were awarded and honored on the occasion for their outstanding contribution to the agriculture sector.

Around 5,000 farm women, 2,000 Women SHGs, and Agri-entrepreneurs from different corners of the state are going to participate in the event, and successful women farmers and SHGs will also be felicitated.

To make Krushi Odisha 2024 more eventful, quizzes, lectures, experimental water sports, local farmer songs, storytelling, postcard exchange, a Farmer Facilitation Centre, and an Experimental Learning Centre will be organized. 

Director of Agriculture and Food Production, IAS, Shri Prem Chandra Chaudhary proposed a vote of thanks.