Bhubaneswar: In an effort to improve socio-economic condition of farmers through application of science and technology, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Wednesday launched a multi-dimensional pilot project for development of agriculture in the state.
The project was rolled out in the tribal-dominated Nabarangpur district on a pilot basis at an investment of Rs 5.21 crore for 2019-20 fiscal.
Patnaik launched the project through videoconferencing from Lok Seva Bhawan. The pilot project was launched to improve the lives of farmers through application of science and technology.
The state government has tied up with 12 different research and development (R&D) laboratories under Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Bio Technology of the Centre, said Patnaik.
As many as 15 departments of the state government will work in tandem with the central agencies, he said.
“The project aims at making agriculture a profitable business. It will help increasing the income of farmers and their potentials in fields of horticulture, fisheries, poultry farming, animal husbandry and aromatic industry,” the Chief Minister added.
In the first phase, a sample size of 1,000 farmers has been chosen and the project will use expert knowledge to ensure development in various parameters like education, health and finance.
The project will lay emphasis on eradicating malnutrition, while focusing on education and socioeconomic development as well.
Under the programme, several initiatives including cultivation of high yielding varieties of fruits and vegetables, setting up of commercial nurseries, aromatic agricultural produce such as turmeric, lemongrass and essential oils will be undertaken.
Manufacturing of incense stick and bio-fertilizers, fisheries, water harvesting project and poultry farming will also be taken up using advanced technology in the sector.
State Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Minister Arun Kumar Sahoo said the farmers would impart training on extraction of aromatic oil from lemongrass and production of better cash crops.
“Agriculture scientists and experts will guide the farmers. In the first batch, 1,000 farmers will be imparted training,” Sahoo said.
Agriculture secretary Sourav Garg said, “The technology which has been developed in the laboratory will reach farmers following which their income will increase. We hope that youths of Nabarangpur will show interest in this process.”