Odisha has emerged as the frontrunner in utilising funds under the Watershed Development Component (WDC) of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) 2.0, achieving an impressive 83% utilisation of allocated funds since the project’s inception.
During a video conference review on Thursday, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, lauded the Odisha government for its exemplary performance in implementing the WDC-PMKSY 2.0, a scheme aimed at enhancing the productive potential of rainfed and degraded lands through integrated watershed management.
The project, spanning from FY 2021-22 to 2025-26, has a total outlay of ₹759.27 crore, funded with a 60:40 Centre-State contribution. Odisha’s achievement places it at the top among all states and Union Territories, including Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, reviewed during the session.
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, presented detailed figures, highlighting the state’s commitment to sustainable agricultural development.
Dy CM Singh Deo also announced that seven additional projects have been sanctioned for FY 2025-26, covering 30,212 hectares with a budget of ₹82.10 crore. These initiatives aim further to improve soil conservation and water management in rainfed areas, boosting agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.
The review meeting saw participation from key officials, including Rural Development, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik, Principal Secretary of Agriculture & FE, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, and Director of Soil Conservation & Watershed Management Subrat Kumar Panda.
The Union Minister’s praise underscores Odisha’s strategic focus on leveraging PMKSY 2.0 to address challenges in rainfed agriculture, setting a benchmark for other states. With these efforts, Odisha continues to pave the way for sustainable rural development and agricultural resilience.
