Odisha is doubling down on its horticulture potential to deliver higher earnings and better nutrition for farmers across the state.
At a high-level conference held today at Krushi Bhawan, Deputy Chief Minister (Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy) Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo issued clear marching orders to horticulture officers: leave the office, step into the fields, listen to farmers, and deliver real solutions.
Organised by the Directorate of Horticulture under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, the state-level meet brought together Commissioner-cum-Secretary Shri Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, Director of Horticulture Shri Kalunge Gorakh Waman, and senior officials. The goal was straightforward—turn Odisha’s favourable soil and climate into tangible gains for cultivators while strengthening the state’s nutritional security.
Dy CM Singh Deo stressed that officers must regularly visit farms, grasp the genuine challenges farmers face, and provide practical answers on the ground. He directed strict monitoring to ensure government schemes actually reach intended beneficiaries and urged officials to apply insights from training programmes directly in the field. In a firm move toward accountability, he made monthly field-visit reports mandatory for every officer—including the Director.
Discussions zeroed in on high-impact priorities: expanding oil palm cultivation to ease edible oil shortages, raising crop quality to meet international export standards, and promoting high-value crops along with commercial floriculture for better returns per acre. Technical sessions covered modern farming techniques, advanced technology adoption, effective scheme delivery, post-harvest management, and creating direct farmer-to-consumer market linkages.
A significant milestone was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Khety Agro Pvt. Ltd. and the Directorate of Horticulture. The partnership aims to accelerate climate-resilient agriculture, modernise horticulture practices, and improve livelihoods for Odisha’s farmers. The Additional Director, Smt. Geetashri Parhi, delivered the vote of thanks.
With clear directives from the top and a renewed focus on results, Odisha’s horticulture sector is set for a more farmer-centric, technology-driven, and income-boosting future.
