Bhubaneswar: Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment KV Singh Deo launched the e-farming app and portal to facilitate crop production and processing by implementing the digital survey policy in agriculture at Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) here Wednesday. The launch event was held in the presence of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Principal Secretary Arabinda Padhee, Agriculture Director Prem Chandra Chaudhary, OUAT VC Pravat Kumar Roul and several agronomists and farm experts.
Speaking on the occasion, Deo said, “Odisha is the first state to adopt the digital survey policy in agriculture and about 48 lakh farmers will benefit from this app and portal. “Based on the data, it will be helpful to formulate progressive policies in the field of agriculture,” he said. “The digital crop survey programme across the state will promote progressive agriculture policy and provide accurate information on crop yields in remote and inaccessible areas,” Deo added. Padhee said, “The e-farming app and portal is a pioneering initiative in the field of agriculture. This will provide farmers with a decentralised, single-window platform. Through this, crop-related data and information can be checked at any time and in any weather.” “In 2023, this survey was tested as a pilot project in Bhadrak, Deogarh, Nuapada and Nayagarh districts. After successfully surveying about 30 lakh plots, it has now been extended to other areas of Odisha,” he said. “The survey will be conducted in 48 lakh hectares of land. As many as 28,000 surveyors, 8,000 supervisors and 1400 inspectors have been employed for the exercise,” said Padhee. Chaudhary said that farmers can get accurate information about digital crop surveys, report their problems and get guidance. Farmers can get information and advice through Krushak Samrudhi Helpline -155333.
ARINDAM GANGULY, OP