Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet on Monday approved the proposal for the implementation of the ‘Coffee Plantation for Sustainable Livelihoods (CPSL)’ scheme in six districts of the state.
Coffee has emerged as one of the most profitable commercial crops among the farmers of the state due to its encouraging prospects for financial benefits and rebuilding of the ecosystem. Odisha has a high potential for commercial coffee cultivation due to its ideal agro-climatic conditions that can provide a viable alternative to traditional cropping patterns of tribal areas.
The scheme “Coffee Plantation for Sustainable Livelihoods (CPSL)” will be implemented in six districts of the state namely Koraput, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Keonjhar and Gajapati. The existing State Coffee area of 10,000 acres is programmed to be expanded by 10 times in 10 years. Women SHGs will be involved in raising coffee nurseries and more than 50,000 farm families will be benefited from the Scheme.
The State Cabinet has approved the above proposal, envisaging an expenditure of Rs. 1144.00 Cr from 2022-23 to 2026-27, out of which Rs. 567.00 Cr will be net through State Plan and Rs. 577.00 Cr will be met through convergence with other Schemes. Beyond the initial period of five years, value addition and marketing aspects will also be included in the scheme.
This Scheme will be implemented by the Directorate of Soil Conservation and Watershed Development under the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department. During the implementation period, the Directorate will also collaborate with quality resource organisations like Coffee Board and others for productivity enhancement, capacity building, infrastructure and brand development.
The 70th session of the “Cabinet Meeting’ was held today in the 3rd Floor Conference Hall of Lok Seva Bhawan, Bhubaneswar under the Chairmanship of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
After the meeting was over, Minister Ashok Ch. Panda and Chief Secy Pradeep Kumar Jena briefed the press about the 14 agenda items related to 12 departments which were approved in the Cabinet.
Out of 15 Agenda items presented, 14 were approved and one remained for further discussion.
In the press brief held, ACS, Rev & DM, FE&CC Department Satyabrat Sahu, Principal Secy, Industries Hemant Sharma, Principal Secy, MSME Sashwat Mishra, Principal Secy, Sc & Tech. Smt Chithra Arumugam were present.
