Bhubaneswar: Odisha showcased its comprehensive framework for agricultural transformation during the Eastern Regional Agriculture Conference held in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.
Shri Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha delivered a detailed presentation focusing on the state’s work in agricultural extension, highlighting localized innovations and farmer-centric models designed to drive rural prosperity.
The high-level regional conference, chaired by Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan and graced by Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, served as a collaborative forum for eastern states to align their strategies.
In his presentation to the delegates, Shri Jadhav outlined how Odisha has reformed its extension networks to move smallholder farmers up the economic value chain. A key component of this strategy includes shifting traditional cultivation focus toward high-value crops, expanding advanced horticulture, and integrating climate-resilient practices across the state’s diverse micro-climates.
Odisha’s presentation detailed the success of infrastructure and market linkage extension models, including the establishment of more than 1,800 active Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) that have generated a combined turnover of 126 crore rupees over the last two years. The state’s agricultural extension framework has also prioritized digital integrations such as agri-stack development and the ongoing compilation of the farmer registry to streamline direct benefit deliveries.
The presentation further linked extension success to broader welfare initiatives, such as the Samruddha Krushak Yojana which increased paddy procurement rates to 3,100 rupees per quintal to benefit 19 lakh farmers, and block-level extension support to revive traditional forgotten food crops. Jadhav also emphasized the state’s efforts to promote the balanced application of nutrients, scale up local seed production, and support specialized geographic indication tagged commodities like Kandhamal turmeric through departmental schemes.
The forum allowed neighboring states, including Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh, to evaluate Odisha’s model alongside other successful regional case studies. The collaborative insights shared during the presentation will help shape a joint, region-specific agricultural roadmap aimed at building self-reliance and improving farmers’ livelihoods across eastern India.