Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the farmers of the Golamunda block in Odisha’s Kalahandi district for their remarkable achievements in bringing about a “vegetable revolution” in the area.
During his monthly broadcast of ‘Mann ki Baat’ on Sunday, Modi commended the farmers for establishing a farmer producer organization (FPO) and for adopting modern technology that transformed Kalahandi, which was once known for its severe poverty and migration issues.
“Once, farmers were forced to leave their homes in search of better opportunities. Today, the Golamunda block in Kalahandi has become a hub for vegetable production. How did this transformation happen?” he asked.
ଓଡ଼ିଶାର କଳାହାଣ୍ଡି ଜିଲ୍ଲାର ଗୋଲାମୁଣ୍ଡା ଆଜି ଏକ ‘ପରିବା ହବ୍’ ରେ ପରିଣତ ହୋଇଛି। କୃଷକମାନେ ଆଜି ସେଠାରେ ‘କୃଷକ ଉତ୍ପାଦନ ସଂଗଠନ’ ଦ୍ଵାରା ଯୋଡି ହେବା ସହ ଆଧୁନିକ ଚାଷ ପଦ୍ଧତିରେ ଚାଷକାର୍ଯ୍ୟ କରୁଛନ୍ତି। ଏଥିରେ ୨୦୦ରୁ ଅଧିକ କୃଷକ ଯୋଡି ହୋଇଛନ୍ତି ଯେଉଁଥିରେ କି ୪୫ ଜଣ ମହିଳା ଚାଷୀ ମଧ୍ୟ ସାମିଲ ହୋଇଛନ୍ତି। – ଯଶସ୍ଵୀ… pic.twitter.com/DybCVRcKEk
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) December 29, 2024
It all began with a small group of just ten farmers who came together to form an FPO called ‘Kisan Utpad Sangh’. By utilizing modern farming techniques, their organization is now conducting business worth crores of rupees. Modi explained that over 200 farmers are now involved in this FPO, which includes 45 women.
“Together, these farmers cultivate tomatoes on 200 acres and bitter gourd on 150 acres. The annual turnover of this FPO has now exceeded Rs 1.5 crore,” Modi stated. He added that vegetables from Kalahandi are being distributed not only across various districts in Odisha but also to other states, with local farmers learning new techniques for cultivating potatoes and onions.
He emphasized that the success story of Kalahandi illustrates what can be achieved with determination and collective effort. “I urge all of you to promote FPOs in your area and join these organizations to strengthen them,” Modi advised.
He remarked, “Remember, significant changes can start from small beginnings. All we need is determination and teamwork.”
Krushna Nag, who was once a truck driver, now cultivates vegetables on 15 acres of land and is able to provide for his family without having to leave home for months. “I am truly happy and grateful to the Prime Minister for recognizing our efforts,” Nag expressed.
In a post on X, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said, “Golamunda in Kalahandi district of Odisha has today become a ‘Vegetable Hub’. Farmers are now joining hands through Farmer Production Organizations and using modern farming methods. More than 200 farmers have joined this, including 45 women farmers. – Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi #MaanKiBaat”.
In a post on X, Odisha’s Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment department secretary Arabinda Padhee said: “Proud to see our Agriculture Production Centre (APC) initiative featured in Hon Prime Minister’s #MannKiBaat today! The FPO in Golamunda, Kalahandi is a shining example of its success. I’ve had the privilege of visiting the village and witnessing the transformative firsthand.”
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sujeet Kumar, who represents Kalahandi district, thanked the Prime Minister for highlighting the vegetable revolution in the area.
“Thank you, Hon’ble PM @narendramodi Ji, for highlighting the remarkable story of Kalahandi’s ‘Vegetable Revolution’ in #MannKiBaat,” he posted on X.
