Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Tuesday launched a special programme for promotion of Agriculture Production Clusters (APCs) in tribal regions of the state.
The programme was launched in 40 blocks of 12 tribal districts through videoconferencing from the Secretariat here.
The Directorate of Horticulture, Odisha Livelihoods Mission (OLM), Bharat Rural Livelihoods (BRL) Foundation and Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADHAN), an NGO, signed an MoU for implementing the programme.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said, “Agriculture is the backbone of our state. I am always emphasising on enhancing the income of farmers. It is good that this new scheme has been launched to increase the income of our farmers.”
The project will double the income of one lakh small and marginal farmers in a sustainable manner by establishing APCs in 40 blocks in four years, said Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy.
The programme will consolidate around 150 farmers into a producer group, which will receive government support to practice synchronised market linked production of identified crops, especially horticulture crops, in around 40 contiguous acres.
Thirty producer companies will be promoted in the 40 blocks involving around 650 producer groups covering one lakh farmers. Around 750 market linked agri-entrepreneurs will be groomed as value chain enablers in these regions, sources said.
The government is also planning to supply livestock (goat, sheep and backyard poultry) to around 40,000 families in these clusters to increase the income of farmers.
Investment in the project in the next three years will be Rs 401.60 crore. Of this, the share of OLM will be Rs 70.06 crore while APICOL will contribute Rs 17.80 crore.
The Agriculture department will provide Rs 293.40 crore while BRLF and the participating NGOs will provide Rs 16.74 crore and Rs 3.6 crore respectively for implementation of the project.