Odisha aims to cultivate 3.3 mn ha during Rabi season

The govt also aims to extend crop loan of Rs 3,800 cr to the farmers in the current crop season

The state government has targeted to cover 3.3 million hectares (ha) of land under food grain cultivation during the Rabi season 2014-15.

Out of the targeted area, 310,000 ha is earmarked for paddy cultivation while non-paddy crops like pulses, oil seeds, maize, sugar cane and vegetables will be grown on the balance land.

The government also aims to extend crop loan of Rs 3,800 crore to the farmers in the current crop season.

At a high level meeting on crop plan for 2014-15 Rabi season, chief minister, Naveen Patnaik directed the officials to ensure timely supply of fertliser and seeds to the farmers. He asked the officials to oversee the effective implementation of the crop insurance schemes.
 

The meeting also discussed about dissemination of information on use of high yielding and high breed seeds, maximum uitlisation of agriculture machinery, comprehensive cultivation of maize, pulses and oilseeds, provision of irrigation facility, use of organic fertilizer during the current crop season.

To overcome the shortage of potato availability in the state, it was decided in the meeting that steps will be taken to create a buffer stock of 350000 tonne of tuber variety. The state is facing short supply of potato time and again with the West Bengal government intermittently stopping the movement of potato laden trucks into the state.

The Co-operation department and the Odisha Agro Industries Corporation Ltd have been directed to start work on setting up six new cold storages soon.